Heat wave scorches region; caution urged
Temperatures soar into the 90s; no relief forecast until at least Monday
Don’t expect a break from scorching temperatures today. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for much of the Bay Area and urged people to drink plenty of fluids and limit outdoor activity.
Will Pi, a meteorologist with the weather service, said Bay Area cities did not break any heat records Saturday, but warned temperatures could rise slightly today with high pressure building over the western U.S. Inland areas like Concord could reach 102 or so, Pi said, with 80s and 90s forecast around the bay.
People near the coast could see some cooling Monday, but
inland areas won’t see significant relief until Tuesday, Pi said.
“It’s five to 10 degrees above normal,” Pi said, “but it’s pretty typical to have a couple events like this in July.”
The air quality is expected to drop today as smoke filters into the region from the Milepost 97 Fire in southern Oregon, said officials from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The fire has burned nearly 9,000 acres since it started Wednesday night.
Air district officials said satellite data showed smoke from the fire moving over the Pacific Ocean and into the Central Valley. Impacts are expected to be minimal, officials said, with hazy conditions and a faint smell of smoke in elevated areas.
On Saturday, cities from San Jose to San Lorenzo opened libraries and community centers as cooling centers, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority offered free bus and light rail rides to residents who planned to seek refuge there.
But it appeared many people chose to go elsewhere.
“On typical hot days, we do get people coming in and saying, ‘Oh, it’s so nice and cool in here,’ ” said San
Lorenzo Library Manager Danielle Wilson, “but it hasn’t been bad today.”
In Walnut Creek, where temperatures were in the mid-90s, an Ygnacio Valley branch librarian said she hadn’t notice any uptick in visitors. The same was true in Brentwood, where the mercury hit 99 degrees.
Karl Fischer, a spokesman for Contra Costa Health Services, said he had not received reports from public health workers of anything unusual related to the higher-than-normal temperatures.
“I think we’re pretty status quo,” he said.
But at Raging Waters, the water park in San Jose, sizzling heat brought in more crowds than usual.
“It’s definitely done wonders for our attendance,” said spokesman Michael Loya. “People are definitely coming out to cool off and enjoy the water park and the water slides and get out of the heat.”
Santa Clara Cal Fire Division Chief Nick Ciardella said he hadn’t received reports of heat-related medical calls or fires. But crews were ready and prepared just in case, he said. His primary concern was the Gilroy Garlic Festival, solely because it draws tens of thousands of visitors, he said. Temperatures in Gilroy topped out at 99 degrees.
“With that many people and with the temperatures
high and everything else, that’s my biggest concern,” Ciardella said. “But the folks over there have a good handle on it.”
Katherine Filice, spokeswoman for the festival, said organizers had put up shade tents and rain rooms for garlic fans. Ciardella encouraged people to stay hydrated and out of the sun if possible.
At ISO Beers early Saturday afternoon in San Jose, where temperatures peaked at 89, bartender Shane Campbell said the hot temperatures were welcome — up to a point.
“The 70s and 80s bring people out,” Campbell said. “But if it’s too hot, people stay inside.”
Jose Arteaga, who was waiting for a bus in downtown San Jose, said he prefers heat to some alternatives.
“There’s places you can go to help cool down,” Arteaga said as he boarded an air-conditioned bus. “It’s better than snow.”
The weather service warned residents not to leave pets or children in parked cars, and to be cautious at the coast.
“Enjoy,” the agency tweeted, “but remember that we lose people every year to rip currents and cold water.”