THE HEAT IS ON
Scorcher: More heat on the way for weekend, Labor Day
“We’re expecting dry conditions to accompany the heat. Fortunately, we’re not expecting super strong winds. But fire risk is elevated for heat and dryness.” — Sierra Littlefield, meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office
CHICO >> It would seem the sun didn’t get the memo about fall approaching.
There doesn’t appear to be an end in sight for the summer heatwaves as Butte County ramps up for what is expected to be a hot weekend, and an even hotter Labor Day and beyond.
Meteorologist Sierra Littlefield with the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office said residents in the north valley can expect temperatures in the 100-degree realm for Saturday and Sunday with the foothills likely experiencing the high 90s.
On Monday, those temperatures are heading upward toward 110 degrees in the valley and potentially over 100 degrees in the foothills. Tuesday’s weather is expected to see the same highs but in a more widespread area, Littlefield said.
Temperatures are expected to carry over on Sunday night and Monday night with lows in the 80s.
Littlefield said the heat combined with the dryness could create some hazardous conditions ripe for fire.
“We’re expecting dry conditions to accompany the heat,” Littlefield said. “Fortunately, we’re not expecting super strong winds. But fire risk is elevated for heat and dryness.”
In addition, the National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for the Sacramento Valley from Sunday into Wednesday.
“Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating
in outdoor activities over the holiday weekend,” the weather service wrote in the warning. “The most significant heat is forecast to occur Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. There will be limited overnight relief from the heat, with low temperatures only in the upper 60s to mid 80s.”
Littlefield urged people to stay hydrated and avoid activities that could create sparks or other fire hazards.
Friday came with its own share of sunshine and heat, prompting some Chico residents
to head for the water. The temperature in Chico reached 104 degrees and Oroville saw a high of 106 degrees.
At the Five-Mile Recreation Area, Samantha Abernathy was enjoying the creek with her friend Jamie Porter and her dog Parker. Porter said she plans to spend the weekend on a houseboat in Redding.
“We regularly come to the water,” Abernathy said. “We love it here.”
“We’re getting our tan on and trying to stay cool,” Porter added.
Meanwhile, just down the creek, Jill Terra, Jamie Peters and Alan Kaufman were set up at a picnic table in the shade with their
kids getting ready to go for a swim. Terra said they usually try to come up with some ways to beat the heat when it gets excessively hot in the north state.
“We usually try to stay indoors or get by the water because it’s cooler next to the creek,” Terra said. “We drive up to Mount Shasta where it’s a little bit cooler or drive to the coast.”
Kaufman said that he wasn’t going to let the heat get in the way of summer plans.
“We’re feeling pretty good about it,” Kaufman said. “Our AC works so that’s good and we have some different places we go to get in the pool so we’re not too worried about it.”