May 15, 2008 1:20 pm US/Pacific
Bay Area Sizzling Temps To Last Through Friday
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / BCN) ―
An
excessive heat watch remained in effect for most of the Bay Area and the National Weather Service advised residents to prepare for record-setting temperatures that were expected for parts of the region through Friday.
An unusually strong ridge of high pressure moved into Northern California, coupled up with strong offshore winds, causing the unprecedented conditions.
"The most extreme heat should be through by Friday evening," National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Tentinger said.
Heat watches are issued to highlight the risk of hot weather, especially for the elderly and others who might be more sensitive to heat.
High temperatures were running as much as 20 to 25 degrees above seasonal normals throughout the Bay Area and Northern Interior California.
While cities throughout the Bay Area were experiencing much higher than normal temperatures, Tentinger said some of the "hotspots'' will be in the Salinas Valley, North Bay valleys and some East Bay areas such as Livermore and Pleasanton.
"Some areas could reach record highs,'' said Tentinger, who pointed out that San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley were under a more severe
excessive heat warning.
"It seems like most of the records that get up this high occur in the summer or in the fall,'' he added.
The weather service issues excessive heat watches, excessive warnings and heat advisories when a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures is expected. Weather service officials warned residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.
In addition to the weather service, county officials advised residents to take precautions against the extreme heat.
The San Mateo County Health Department noted that local temperatures were expected to climb into the 90s for several days and reminded residents that a heat wave in the summer of 2000 caused several deaths.
The county's health department recommended residents stay indoors in the coolest part of the house, especially between noon and 6 p.m., and wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Contra Costa Health Services officials issued a list of warnings to residents, recommending they curtail outdoor activity and avoid hot cars, where temperatures can reach 150 degrees after 20 minutes. Temperatures in parts of the county were expected to exceed 100 degrees during the heat wave.
In Santa Cruz, health officials reminded residents that while electric fans may provide comfort, they will not prevent heat-related diseases.
According to the county's health services agency, heat stroke is the most common heat-related illness and some symptoms include red, hot dry skin, a strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness and nausea.
Tentinger said the heat wave had also prompted officials to issue a
red flag warning for the Carquinez Straight and Delta, which is made when strong winds and dry weather conditions create a threat of fire.
Here are a few possible record high temperatures for Thursday: Livermore: Record 98 in 1970, Forecast 107
Santa Rosa: Record 97 in 1970, Forecast 101
San Jose: Record 96 in 1970, Forecast 102
Oakland: Record 87 in 1976, Forecast 99
Redwood: City Record 97 in 1970, Forecast 99
San Francisco: Record 91 in 1970, Forecast 92
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