The second day of a dangerous heat wave in the Bay Area and Northern California will see temperatures once again exceed 10 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, potentially breaking multiple records, meteorologists said.
The extreme heat will be most noticeable inland and higher elevations, with triple-digit afternoon temperatures expected through early next week. The National Weather Service said an extreme heat warning has been extended through July 9 for most of the Bay Area and through July 11 for parts of the Central Valley.
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The Meteorological Service said in a weather forecast review that the ongoing heat wave could be life-threatening if precautions are not taken.
“It cannot be overstated that this is an exceptionally dangerous and deadly situation. It may not seem like it if you live near the coast, but an event of this magnitude, scope and duration will likely rival anything we have seen inland in the past 18 years, the Weather Service said. “Multiple days of well-above-normal temperatures and low nighttime lighting will lead to compounding impacts on people and infrastructure, with the potential for numerous heat-related deaths and rolling blackouts.”
Residents are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and keep in touch with family and neighbors.
Relief from the heat can still be found near the water. Daytime temperatures will mostly be in the upper 60s to 80s along the coast, 70s to 90s around the bay and up to 110 degrees inland. The Weather Service said the Bay Area’s natural air conditioning won’t extend as far inland on Wednesday because of increasing high pressure.
The weather service also said critical fire weather conditions will persist through the week until at least Friday. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for higher elevations in the North Bay, East Bay Hills and Santa Cruz Mountain until 5 a.m. Friday.
The combination of low relative humidity, dry fuels, the Fourth of July holiday and wind gusts up to 35 mph (56 km/h) along mountain ridges and higher peaks all contribute to the fire hazard.
