Yep, it's hot out there

With mercury-busting temperatures forecasted in Northern Nevada through at least midweek, residents from Carson City, Reno and even Lake Tahoe are looking for ways to beat the heat.

The high in Carson City Monday was an even 100 degrees, which is not uncommon for the area in July.

Power purveyors are seeing a huge demand for power as people cool their homes and businesses.

"(Both) today and tomorrow could reach an all-time high for power usage for this year," said Sierra Pacific Power spokesman Karl Walquist on Monday morning.

Monday's power usage surged to 1,740 megawatts - the highest of the year and 72 megawatts off the all time record set this date last year.

"We're in good shape as far as our power supply," Walquist said. He added it helps that Barrick Gold has built its own power plant. The mining company near Elko pays the Reno utility company fees to use the transmission lines.

In Northern Nevada, during the last 60 years, 34 have had at least one day when temperatures were 100 degrees. In 12 of those years, there were four or more days with temperatures of 100 degrees or more. The record for consecutive days of 100 degrees or more was set in 2005, when the century mark was topped each day between July 12 and July 21, according to a National Weather Service advisory.

The heat wave has even made its way up to Lake Tahoe, traditionally a haven from the heat.

The high for Monday was 88 degrees, the National Weather Service reported. This is one degree off the record of 89 degrees in 1935, according to the Western Regional Climate Center of Reno.

But today could be the day. The record for today was set in 1936 at 88 degrees. The forecast is expected to top 90 degrees. Areas in northern and western Nevada could reach 105 degrees.

"There's a good chance we could break (Tahoe's record Tuesday)," said Becky Cripe of the National Weather Service on Monday.

Lake Tahoe experienced an all-time high in 1933 - 94 degrees.

To Bernadette Crandall, it felt like a record breaker on Monday.

"My house has got to be 88 degrees. I wouldn't be surprised if we hit 95 today," the South Lake Tahoe woman said, sprawled out on El Dorado Beach that afternoon. Her 10-year-old son, Michael, splashed in Lake Tahoe - seemingly carefree for a moment.

"I know what he's thinking. That kid talks about global warming all the time. He'll say: 'Mom, I think we only have three more years (left on the planet),'" she said.

For the time being, Crandall has to remind him to lather up with sunscreen because of Tahoe's intense, high-altitude sun rays.

Sno Flake Drive-In sold 26 ice cream cones and nine milkshakes in three hours on Monday.

In California, power grid managers have asked residents to conserve electricity. Usage was project to peak at 48,238 megawatts.

Rick Guzman's family would have liked turning the air conditioning on in their cabin, but none exists. They escaped 103-degree temperatures in the Pleasanton area to sit out on the beach under a large umbrella.

"This is the best way to handle the heat," Guzman said, holding a water bottle. "But nobody seems to think of it."

To deal with heat waves, the California Department of Health Services recommends:

• Drink plenty of fluid.

• Replace salt and minerals through sports beverages and fruit juices while exercising.

• Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen.

• Do not sit in a hot car.

• Keep lights off.

• Stay in air-conditioned space.

• Check furnace and air filters.

• Pace yourself.

• Stay cool when indoors.

• Schedule outdoor activities carefully, if you can, before noon or in the evening.

• Use a buddy system to watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion.

• Use common sense as in avoid hot foods.

Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. Warning signs include a high body temperature, unconsciousness, dizziness, nausea and confusion.

Heat exhaustion arises as the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat. Symptoms range from heavy sweating and muscle cramps to headache and weariness.