SACRAMENTO, Calif — A dangerous heat wave is hitting California for the Labor Day holiday weekend.
High pressure will be bringing a stretch of 100s starting Wednesday and lasting through much of the following week. Highs near 101 are expected Wednesday and near 104 on Thursday and Friday. Foothill communities will be near 100 as well to round out the week.
An Excessive Heat Watch is in effect starting Saturday and lasting through next Tuesday. Peak highs will hit Saturday through Labor Day with highs from 105-115° in the valley and 90-104° in the hills and mountains. Excessive Heat is when temperatures are hot enough to cause heat-related illness and watches and warnings are issued when daytime highs are extreme as well as very warm overnight temperatures.
This will be a dangerous stretch of heat with little relief overnight as lows only drop into the 70s and low 80s in some locations.
All-time record high temperatures are possible during this stretch of heat. In the valley, those records range from 113-115°.
People working or spending time outdoors will be especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion, or the more serious heat stroke.
A person experiencing heat exhaustion may be dizzy, thirsty, sweating heavily, nauseated or weak. When symptoms worsen, the person may stop sweating or become unconscious. It's important to call 911 to get immediate help.
Heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke
Warning signs for heat exhaustion include the following:
- Dizziness
- Heavy sweating
- Nausea
The symptoms of heat stroke are as follows:
- High body temperature
- Absence of sweating
- Difficulty breathing
The California Independent Systems Operator is expecting an increased electrical demand across much of California and much of the Western states region beginning Thursday, intensifying through the upcoming Labor Day weekend and extending to Wednesday, Sept. 7.
To prevent widespread blackouts, consumers can take a few steps to keep the power on and save money on electric bills.
Their top three actions from 4-9 p.m. are to set thermostats to 78 degrees; avoid using large appliances; and turn off unnecessary lights. Flex Alerts have been an effective way to lower electricity use and help the grid through the most stressed time.
Visit FlexAlert.org for more conservation tips and to sign up for alerts.
Cooling Center Map
Watch more on ABC10: Dangerous record-breaking heat in Northern California | Sacramento Heat Wave
