How long will this heat wave last? Northern California could see 108-degree temperatures
Parts of Northern California saw triple-digit temperatures this week as a heat wave hit the region.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning from 11 a.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Thursday for the northeastern Sierra foothills and Central Valley — including the Sacramento area.
Affected cities include Stockton, Grass Valley, Chico, Oroville, Jackson, Redding, Marysville, Yuba City, Red Bluff, Paradise and Sacramento.
Temperatures are expected to range from 95 to 108 degrees, the service warned.
The weather service also issued excessive heat warnings for the Modesto and Fresno areas for the same time period.
When does heat wave start in Northern California?
The warming trend starts Tuesday for Northern California cities.
In the Sacramento area, the National Weather Service expects temperatures to go as high as 101 degrees on Tuesday. At night, the low temperature could dip to 71 degrees.
Forecasts show that triple-digit heat may continue Wednesday, with a high near 104 degrees and a low around 67 degrees.
Thursday will likely see a high of 100 degrees and a low of 61 degrees.
Sara Purdue, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento, said the excessive heat warning covers the majority of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys and foothills.
“More or less,” she said, those around the Sacramento region, such as West Sacramento and Folsom, will feel the heat.
The sweltering temperatures will be accompanied by warm winds gusting up to 30 mph on Tuesday, Purdue told The Sacramento Bee.
What does excessive heat warning mean for region?
The National Weather Service is warning of “dangerously hot conditions with temperatures 95 to 108” in Northern California.
“Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” the agency said in its excessive heat warning.
The weather service is advising people to stay hydrated, be in air-conditioned rooms — if possible — and stay out of the sun.
“Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles,” the weather service said. “Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.”
You should also stay updated by checking out the latest weather forecasts, the agency said.
When will 100-degree heat wave end?
According to the weather service’s seven-day forecast for Sacramento, the 100-degree heat could end on Thursday.
However, parts of the Sacramento Valley could see temperatures soar up to 103 degrees on Friday.
The Sacramento region can expect high temperatures lingering in the 90s from Friday through Monday, the forecast shows.
Purdue said that some areas, especially near the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, will see some relief from the heat over the weekend.
Temperatures will likely be in the 90s, with some areas of the Delta getting into the 80s, she said.
“I hesitate to say (it will) ‘cool off’ because it’s really more of a slowdown of the heating,” Purdue said.
Will there be another heat wave?
It’s possible, but it’s too early to tell with the forecast.
“After this weekend, there’s potential for more heat,” Purdue said. “The worst of it will be up in the northern Sacramento Valley, but we are keeping an eye on that currently.”
She said the weather service’s forecast doesn’t extend far enough to gauge how long or intense the next heat wave could be.
“There is potential for temperatures to warm back up into the hundreds early next week,” Purdue said.
This story was originally published June 4, 2024 at 3:00 PM with the headline "How long will this heat wave last? Northern California could see 108-degree temperatures."