A Labor Day heat wave is on its way to Northern California. Here’s how hot it could get
California is bracing for another heat wave in the coming days, with highs steadily rising and set to peak over the Labor Day weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Following the past weekend, when Sacramento and immediate areas reached into the 80s and low 90s, temperatures were forecast to climb back above normal beginning Monday.
Highs are expected to exceed 100 degrees by midweek, leading to the hottest temperatures next weekend and into Labor Day. By Sunday, initial forecasts call for Sacramento to see a high of 104.
Extended forecasts by Weather Underground and The Weather Channel project a high of 110 in Sacramento on Labor Day.
“Heads up! Temperatures will be rising again this week over northern California. Temperatures begin warming tomorrow leading to the hottest temperatures Saturday — Labor Day with widespread moderate to high heat risk for the holiday weekend,” the National Weather Service Sacramento office posted on Twitter.
It was only a week ago that the region and much of the San Joaquin Valley emerged from an extended stretch of 100-degree days. Downtown Sacramento hit 106 on Aug. 20, matching the all-time mark for the date set in 1950, according to the weather service.
Sacramento again won’t be alone in its suffering. And more records could fall under the most pessimistic forecast models showing high temperatures across much of the West.
Even normally temperate San Diego is bracing for high heat.
“Alright everyone... let’s talk about the heat coming up this week,” the San Diego office of the weather service tweeted Sunday. “We’re looking at a pretty long duration heat wave affecting much of SoCal mid week through at least Labor Day Weekend.
“Temps will likely be the hottest we’ve seen so far this summer.”
In a post ahead of holiday outings and excursions, Cal Fire offered a cautionary message.
“#LaborDay will be here soon & that more means time outside, camping, grilling, & traveling,” the state firefighting agency noted. “Take fire-safe steps like checking your propane grills for leaks, extinguishing a campfire before leaving it, and avoiding dragging chains when traveling.”
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 5:25 AM.
