Could Sacramento break heat records for October? Triple-digit weather in this week’s forecast
Capital city temperatures will flirt this week with all-time records for early October set more than two decades ago, according to meteorologists.
The high temperature in downtown Sacramento was forecast to soar to at least 100 degrees Tuesday, just one degree below the highest temperature recorded the same day in 2001. Sacramento is expected to reach 101 degrees Wednesday, also one degree below the highest temperature noted on the same day in 2001, said Bill Rasch, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office.
“In the next two days, we have a 55% chance of hitting record highs,” he said.
A scorching heat wave descended starting Tuesday across California, touching off fears of fires igniting and prompting the weather service to issue a heat advisory. The Tiger Fire in Amador County prompted evacuation orders Monday, but those orders were lifted a few hours later as firefighters got a handle on it.
The high pressure settling over Northern California is not unusual for this time of year, Rasch said. But the weather system is just lingering longer into October, he said.
Residents in the Sacramento Valley, northern San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills are under a heat advisory from 11 a.m. Tuesday until 11 p.m. Wednesday, the weather service said.
High temperatures are set to slightly loosen their grip on the capital region by Thursday. It still will be hot, with temperatures in the mid 90s, but the mercury will not be brushing into record heat levels, Rasch said.
October historically has a limited number of days measuring over 100, Rasch said. There were such five days in October 1987, Rasch said.
The first week of this October could already notch two triple-digit days.
Next week could also bring a heat wave — and lead meteorologists to tally more days above 100 degrees — but that forecast isn’t certain, Rasch said.
“We wouldn’t be out of the woods until mid-October to see what happens,” Rasch said.
Cooling centers
The city and county of Sacramento on Tuesday opened cooling centers amid the heat wave.
▪ Outreach and Engagement Center, 3615 Auburn Blvd., will be open from 11 a.m. Tuesday to 8 a.m. Thursday. This location allows pets, and residents can store their personal belongings.
▪ The Pam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center, 2450 Meadowview Road, will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. The site does not allow pets and residents can only bring what they can carry on their person.
▪ The North A Emergency Shelter, 1400 N. A St., will be open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
Libraries and community centers will also be available during their normal hours with air conditioning, city officials said.
This story was originally published October 1, 2024 at 2:28 PM.