Think twice before you jump in a river on Sacramento’s hottest day of the year, officials say
Triple-digit temperatures in Sacramento could inch close to 110 degrees, making Saturday the city’s hottest day of the year so far. Yet, taking a river swim may still not be a wise way to cool down.
As they have been for weeks, officials continue to warn about the dangers of cold water temperatures and fast flows this Fourth of July weekend.
“Cold water is DEADLY,” warned the local National Weather Service Saturday morning on Twitter. “If you enter local rivers, ALWAYS wear a life jacket.”
This heat wave, a high-pressure system that acts as an atmospheric lid trapping in hot air, is bringing excessive heat to Northern California and the Central Valley. The weather service issued an excessive heat warning through Sunday night.
Saturday’s forecast in Sacramento shows a high of 108 degrees. The city’s hottest July 1 on record was not far off at 109, recorded in 1950.
Hot temperatures are endemic to the region, but data show that global warming caused by human burning of fossil fuels into the atmosphere has made this particular heat wave three times more likely.
Hot air temperatures don’t necessarily warm the cold river waters still surging with melt from this year’s record snow pack. Water temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees can stiffen muscles and make it difficult to breath, officials warn.
Real-time waterway data show temperatures as low as 55°F below Folsom dam, before being released into the American River.
Local government officials have warned about the dangers of fast moving, cold rivers for weeks. Liz Bellas, director of regional parks in Sacramento County, said rafting companies won’t be renting out equipment.
“It’s just too dangerous,” she said in a statement.
Health officials say signs of heat exhaustion include dizziness and nausea. If someone does not cool down after moving into shade and drinking cool water, they could get heat stroke and require immediate medical attention.
This story was originally published July 1, 2023 at 12:47 PM with the headline "Think twice before you jump in a river on Sacramento’s hottest day of the year, officials say."