Records fell Friday in the Bay Area, even as notices were turned into warnings and the state supervisor of electricity warned customers to save energy or eliminate risks.
That it felt like the Bay Area’s late summer heat wave was approaching in full force. Forecasters said it will take such a kick that not even the experts know how long it will last.
This map shows the current temperature for each observation station 95+ degrees from 1245 hours.
These obs are widespread in the region with much of the day over.
Some places along the immediate coast have begun to cool as a bright afternoon sea breeze begins.#cawx pic.twitter.com/XlIrQhtWgW
– NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) August 14, 2020
“It could continue into new week,” President Anna Schneider said Friday morning by phone. “We just have to wait and see.”
As of 4:30 p.m., at least five cities had logged highs, according to the weather service. Among the heaviest of those spots was San Jose, which saw a height of 101, which broke the 98 mark last year.
Temperatures rose to 98 degrees in Oakland, breaking the 90 mark last year; 96 degrees in Salinas, breaking the 1984 mark of 84; 96 degrees in Richmond, breaking the 90 degree mark last year; and 95 degrees in downtown San Francisco, breaking the 1995 mark of 86.
Unofficially, Livermore showed temperatures of 105 degrees and was the hot spot in Alameda County. Concord also showed 105 degrees and Brentwood showed 102.
Looking for a place to escape the heat? Here is a list.
The heat created challenges for those who did not have air conditioning. Bay Area counties were cooling down cooling centers, and nonprofits were doing what they could to take care of those who were particularly vulnerable to the heat.
As temperatures hovered above 100 degrees in San Jose, Dennis Ayala, 34, hid from the heat in a public cooling center in the Roosevelt Community Center. Ayala, who said he has been homeless in the city for the past three years, called the cooling center a life-saver for people like him because libraries, cafes and other buildings that would normally be closed because of the COVID 19 pandemic.
“It’s just unbelievable how the weather has been the last few days,” he said. ‘I’m on medication where I can not be in the sun all day. Who knows? I could pass by and have to go to the emergency room (room), and they are already packed as it is. ”
Dina Bartello, director of the homeless non-profit WeHOPE, said she was particularly concerned and sent business executives with additional water supplies to check on the campgrounds that WeHOPE serves.
“Last year, homeless people who were on the streets had the opportunity to go to the YMCA or the library (during a heat wave),” she said. ‘They no longer have that option. We need to be comprehensive with the population and ensure that they have access to clean water. ”
Meals on Wheels spokesman Jim Oswald of San Francisco said he was concerned about the elderly residents earning the nonprofit, many of whom live on just under $ 1,000 a month.
“Many of our customers unfortunately do not have access to air conditioning,” Oswald said. “We do extra duty by calling our customers and making sure they are good.”
So how long will the brutal heat last? For people closer to the coast, the news was better.
“The coast will have its hottest day (Friday),” Schneider said. “For the other areas, there may be a few degrees difference up or down each day, but it will be quite.”
Excessive heat warning in effect for inland areas starting today and lasting through the weekend. Heat Advisories in place around the Bay. #BeatTheHeatCheckTheBackSeat pic.twitter.com/wDtqNnRLcp
– NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) August 14, 2020
A high-pressure air created in the southern deserts is responsible for the rise in temperatures, and Schneider said it still expands and kills winds that normally cool the area. The strength and eventual size of the bubble figure to determine how long the heat wave lasts, she said.
The result caused the weather service to turn an excessive advice on heat that lasted through Sunday into an excessive warning about heat that now runs through Wednesday. The southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur region were added to the warning list on Friday.
The southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur region have been added to the heat advice for today, as temperatures stormed in the upper 1980s to 1990s and locally 100s. Widespread upper 80s to low 100s are seen regionally, except off the coast. It’s hot.#cawx pic.twitter.com/OHRFEuNnEi
– NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) August 14, 2020
The heat also brought a flex warning Friday from 3pm to 10pm. The California Independent System Administrator is monitoring the state network and has issued a warning. PG&E announced to its customers that it will be operational from 3pm to 10pm
The warning serves as a warning to customers to save electricity when air conditioners are at peak use. Customers are encouraged to keep their thermostat at 78 degrees, draw their drapes and turn off unnecessary lighting. Phone chargers, power strips and other electrical appliances should be disconnected when not in use, the utility said.
The ISO also declared a statewide stage 2 emergency, and warned if system conditions did not improve, it would declare a stage 3 emergency, which would lead to rotating power outages.
The Water Service also kept an eye on several storm cells that formed in southern California waters, but Schneider said the agency did not record any lightning strikes over land and that the only rainstorms that would occur across the ocean Friday.
How long the heatwave will last remains a bit uncertain, Schneider said. The heat warning lasts until Wednesday, but only because forecasts are not sure what will happen next.
“That’s really as far as we can go,” she said.
Staff Writer Jason Green contributed to this report.
Check back for updates.
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