Flex alerts, air quality, cooling centers: Here’s what to know in Sacramento heat wave

Sacramento’s notorious heat is back again this Labor Day Weekend.

From Thursday to Tuesday, the Sacramento Valley can expect highs from 100 to 115 degrees and the foothills are forecast to reach highs of 95 to 111 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento. Overnight lows could be in the upper 60s to mid 80s from Saturday to Tuesday.

During hot temperatures, energy providers suggested using a fan, changing your air conditioning filters and raising your thermostat up by two degrees to stay cool and save some money. Some residents shared more cost-cutting suggestions to The Bee, such as, opening the windows at night, eating frozen fruit and sleeping downstairs.

Ted Ternes, a Sacramento area resident of 47 years, said he opens up the windows in the early mornings, at 4 a.m. to 5 a.m., when hot weather is expected to come through the day.

“Bottom line is you have to use the coolest air of the day, which is the morning air, to cool down the house as much as you can,” Ternes said.

He said he also has two high velocity fans in his windows to pull hot air out of the house and will typically stay in one room and use fans, instead of turning on the AC to cool down the entire home.

But with the excessive heat watch this weekend, Ternes expects he’ll have to turn on the AC in the mornings. It’s also advised by the weather service that people stay in air conditioned rooms.

Here’s what you need to know about this next heat event:

How hot will Sacramento get?

Highs are expected to go over 100 degrees. Labor Day will be the hottest day during the heat wave, with the latest forecast of about 113 degrees.

See here the forecast temperatures in Sacramento and the rest of California.

Breaking records

With temperatures potentially reaching more than 112 degrees, the upcoming heat wave could beat a 20th century record.

See here how this week’s heat could shatter records.

How to stay cool

The NWS is advising people to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors under the sun from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The agency also recommends that you use air conditioning if you can, as fans may not be enough to cool you down.

These high temperatures can affect everyone, even healthy people, a Sacramento meteorologist from the NWS told The Bee. But vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, pregnant people, children and those with chronic illnesses should take extra precaution.

If you need to go to a cooling station, the Sacramento region has some centers open, starting Thursday.

Keep your pets cool, too

You won’t be the only feeling the burn from the heat, your pets will too.

Visit this page to see what heat stroke in pets look like, how to prevent it and treat it.

Can the grid handle the heat?

Energy usage will likely be high this week, as more people will stay in, plug in their fans or turn on their air conditioning.

California Independent System Operator, a nonprofit that oversees the state’s power grid, may issue Flex Alerts in the coming days to avoid blackouts.

Flex Alerts are notifications that ask consumers to voluntarily save electricity. When these alerts are sent out, people should set their thermostats 78 degrees or higher, if possible, avoid the use of big appliances and turn off unnecessary lights.

Will the Delta breeze save the day?

The Delta breeze brought some relief in the recent heat wave in mid-August.

See here what the Delta breeze is and why it’s known as a local hero during hot Sacramento summer days.

Air quality alert

Sacramento-area air quality officials have issued a Spare the Air alert for Thursday due to ozone pollution.

You can read more about the air quality here.

This story was originally published August 31, 2022 at 1:27 PM.