Heat risks rising in Northern California

“This is going to be some of the warmer temperatures that we’ve seen so far.” Katrina Hand, NWS Sacramento

Unseasonably warm temperatures in the coming days bring potential health risks for vulnerable populations in Northern and Central California, according to the National Weather Service.

“This is going to be some of the warmer temperatures that we’ve seen so far this year,” said Katrina Hand, a meteorologist with NWS Sacramento. “So (we’re) just encouraging everyone to just be checking the forecast and stay weather-aware as we head into the warmer season.”

Some of the warmest temperatures in the coming days will be in the Central Valley.

“For the Sacramento Valley, we are seeing a warming trend going into the weekend, with temperatures in the upper 80s, even reaching the mid-90s in some areas,” Hand said. “And we see those warm temperatures continue into next week as well.”

The warmest days this weekend could be around 10 to 15 degrees above normal, Hand said.

For places in the valley, such as Redding and Sacramento, that translates into a moderate heat risk over the next several days, meaning people sensitive to heat may face health concerns. That includes elderly people, newborns, pregnant mothers and those with chronic illnesses.

Californians can track expected heat impacts using the weather service’s newly released HeatRisk tool. It accounts for how unusual heat is for the time of year, shows the duration of hot temperatures, and includes data about heatrelated illnesses from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hand explained.

Much of the San Joaquin Valley is in the minor heat risk category, with about a quarter of the valley facing moderate risk by Sunday, said David Spector, a meteorologist with NWS Hanford (Kings County).

“It’s going to be about 4 to 8 degrees above average in our area,” Spector said. Temperatures are expected to rise a few degrees upward each day, peaking Sunday with highs in the mid-90s and lows around 60.

“And then we just level off,” Spector said. “It’s going to stay there for another three to four days.”

Urban areas fall in the moderate heat risk category this weekend, including Fresno and Bakersfield.

While temperatures won’t be quite as warm in the Bay Area, inland parts of the North Bay, East Bay and South Bay also face a moderate heat risk, said Dial Hoang, a meteorologist with NWS San Francisco Bay Area.

“In general, coastal areas should see the warmest temperatures” on Thursday, Hoang said. “The more inland areas should see the warmest temperatures” on Friday.

Elevated temperatures could linger in some parts of the Bay Area: the weather service is forecasting a high of 81 for San Jose on Monday, Hoang said, about 7 or 8 degrees above average. San Francisco is expected to reach just 66 degrees.

But on Thursday, San Francisco was expected to face its warmest temperatures since October, so vulnerable populations were warned to take protective measures from the heat.

“The advice we always give people is to stay hydrated, wear light-colored or lightweight clothing, reduce the time you spend outdoors, and never leave people or pets unattended in vehicles,” Hoang said.