Over 110 degrees by Labor Day? Here’s where cooling centers will open in Sacramento
An extreme, September heat wave is set to strike Northern California later this week, likely toppling temperature records in the capital region and throughout the Central Valley by Labor Day.
National Weather Service forecasts predict Sacramento will reach highs of 105 degrees Thursday and Friday, ratcheting up to 109 degrees by Saturday and soaring to 112 degrees Sunday and Monday. The extreme heat is due in part to a high-pressure ridge built up over the Great Basin, which is building west across Nevada and California.
The weather service has already issued an excessive heat watch for all of interior Northern California and the Bay Area, in place Saturday morning through Tuesday evening.
Parts of the San Joaquin Valley could reach 115 degrees, the weather service said. Overnight relief will be “limited,” with nighttime lows ranging from the high 60s to mid-80s.
Cooling centers to open near Sacramento
Sacramento County will open three cooling centers for those experiencing homelessness, each available for at least seven straight days starting this Thursday.
The city of Sacramento will also open its homeless weather respite center, the former Powerhouse Science Center at 3615 Auburn Blvd., during the heat wave.
The Sacramento City Council voted unanimously in late July to keep the center open essentially 24/7 starting in September.
The center is not yet configured for overnight guests, the city said in a news release Tuesday, and will instead be open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sept. 7. Pets are allowed.
The county will also activate its respite motel voucher program, officials said in a news release.
The cooling centers will open at the county’s Department of Human Assistance annex, at 1725 28th St. in midtown Sacramento, and at its DHA customer service centers at 2450 Florin Road in Meadowview and 5747 Watt Ave. in North Highlands.
The three centers will be open daily Thursday through Sept. 7. The offices will be open during their normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. plus a four-hour extension from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. On Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day, the centers will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Pets are allowed at the county centers but must be on a leash or in an animal carrier at all times.
The county’s respite motel sheltering program will begin with check-ins starting Wednesday.
“Navigators will make contact with those experiencing homelessness to offer a motel stay and will assist in reserving the space at the motel,” the county said in a news release.
Sacramento County officials will monitor forecasts to determine whether any extensions are necessary, according to the news release.
Elk Grove and the Cosumnes Community Services District will open cooling centers from Thursday through Sept. 7. The Wackford Community Center at 9014 Bruceville Road will be open Thursday through Saturday, with the Center at District56, 8230 Civic Center Drive, open Sunday through Sept. 7.
The Elk Grove sites will each be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pets are not allowed, except for service animals.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, at 2729 Prospect Drive, will also open as a cooling center this Thursday through next Tuesday, Sept. 6. It will be open 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. all six days. Pets are not allowed, except for service animals.
The Folsom Public Library, at 411 Stafford St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sept. 7, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.
The Galt Police Department will open its lobby, at 455 Industrial Drive, as a cooling center this Thursday through Sept. 7, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day.
Masks are required at all cooling centers, under California health orders for COVID-19.
Hottest September day ever?
The looming heat wave is likely to break September records for Sacramento.
The all-time maximum temperatures downtown for the stretch of Sept. 1 to Sept. 7 range from 107 degrees to 109 degrees, according to weather service records. The city last reached the latter reading two years ago, on Sept. 6, 2020, tying the city’s hottest September day ever.
Weather officials urge residents to stay hydrated and limit outdoor time.
This story was originally published August 30, 2022 at 8:14 AM.
