Heat wave watch for this weekend
Temperatures nearing record levels expected today and Sunday
Planning on being outside this weekend? If so, brace yourself for some extreme heat.
The National Weather Service on Friday issued an excessive heat watch for the inland Bay Area from 11 a.m. today to 11 p.m. Sunday.
Temperatures are expected to reach nearly record levels today, including 102 degrees in Concord, 101 degrees in Livermore and 92 degrees in San Jose, according to the weather service. Similar but slightly cooler temperatures are forecast for Sunday.
“Even if we don’t see record-high temperatures, it’s still going to be very hot in the afternoon,” said Spencer Tangen, a meteorologist with the weather service office in Monterey.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District, meanwhile, issued a Spare the Air Alert that runs through Sunday. Residents are urged to drive less to reduce smog.
“Concentrations of ground-level ozone pollution are forecast to be unhealthy,” the district said in an advisory. “High levels of ozone pollution are harmful to breathe, especially for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions.”
The high temperatures will increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, so the weather service advises residents and visitors to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces and limit outdoor activities during the heat of the day.
“If you do have to work outside, we recommend taking lots of breaks,” Tangen said.
Temperatures are expected to cool to 70 to 80 degrees tonight before picking up again Sunday, according to the weather service.
Because of the expected high temperatures, Santa Clara County announced it is opening a cooling center from 1:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and Sunday at the Campbell Community Center.
On Monday, temperatures across the Bay Area are expected to be about 10 degrees cooler.