The National Weather Service has extended its excessive heat warning advisory through 11 p.m. Thursday. It includes most of Richmond, where temperatures in the 90s this week have been hotter than normal for this time of year.
It will be hotter around town depending where you live, with the hotter temperatures in the hills and cooler temps by San Francisco Bay, according to the National Weather Service. At 4 a.m. the Oakland weather station was reporting temperatures in the 90s at 2,000 feet.
Richmond has been “pretty high above average,” said Rachel Kennedy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area office.
She said temperatures in the 90s this time of year are 17 to 20 degrees higher than average.
While it will be hot, it won’t be as hot as it got on Oct. 1, 1980. That day’s high of 99 was an all-time record, Kennedy said. The NWS gets Richmond’s weather data from a climate monitoring station off of Canal Boulevard near the Port of Richmond, so if you get your weather news elsewhere, be aware that the microclimates can cause the temperature to vary quite a bit, for example, if you’re at an elevation that’s even just a few hundred feet higher.
“[The heat wave] is the result of the high-pressure building in, and it’s particularly strong for this time of year,” said Roger Gass, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “We normally have stronger offshore wind events that would push the heat to the coast.”
As elevated temperatures continue to impact the Bay Area, two Contra Costa County cities said that they will be opening cooling centers. (The closest Contra Costa County cooling centers currently open are in Martinez and Concord).
- Oakley: The City Hall lobby, 3231 Main St., will be open as a cooling center today from 2-6 p.m. Cold water and restrooms will be available.
- Pittsburg: The Marina Center, 340 Marina Blvd., will be open through 8 p.m. today. (No pets are allowed.)
The NWS recommends taking precautions such as drinking plenty of fluids, staying indoors somewhere with air conditioning and checking on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles “under any circumstances,” the NWS warns.
Those who work outside should take extra care and wear lightweight, loose fitting clothing and avoid strenuous activities. Take frequent rest breaks in the shade or somewhere with air conditioning. If you suspect someone has heat stroke, call 911 immediately.
A Spare the Air alert, issued when concentrations of ozone pollution, or smog, are expected to be unhealthy, was issued for Monday and Tuesday. Bay Area residents were encouraged to limit driving.
Where to stay cool during Richmond heat wave
However, finding shelter from the heat is easier said than done for those without an air-conditioned home.
For the price of a movie ticket, movie theaters can offer a hot weather escape. Here are tomorrow’s movie times at the Cinemark Century Hilltop 16.
Some folks like to cool off wading in the waves at Keller Beach at the Miller/Knox Regional Park shoreline, but swimmers beware: The water quality doesn’t meet state standards. The beach is open, but East Bay Regional Park District guidelines state that bacteria levels “may cause illness,” and water should not be swallowed.
Many East Bay Regional Parks in west Contra Costa County are well-shaded. Point Pinole has the advantage of being right on the Bay,. The Alvarado park area of Wildcat Canyon offers plenty of shaded trails, a shaded playground and picnic tables, with a shallow creek for the pups to play in.
Just beware of the increased fire danger due to the hot weather and already tinder-dry vegetation. Some parks are closed in this case. Visit the EBRP website for the latest fire alerts.
EBRP fire restrictions may include:
- No campfires outside of designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds, or developed recreational areas.
- Barbecues permitted only in designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds, or developed recreational areas. Gas-fueled stoves/barbecues are permitted in all designated areas.
- No off-road driving. Drive only on designated roadways. No driving or parking on dry grass; heat from vehicle’s undercarriage can start a fire.
- Secure all tow chains; a dragging chain throws sparks that can start fires.
Libraries can be cool respite spots, but Richmond’s main branch is more than 70 years old and is not air conditioned. However, Contra Costa Library’s San Pablo location is.
For people experiencing homelessness there is also the Greater Richmond Interfaith Faith Program care center, 165 2nd St. The center is open 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Its services include showers, mail, and laundry. (If it’s after hours call 2-1-1 for assistance.)
More frequent and severe heat waves are expected in California as carbon emissions bring climate change, and this past summer was the planet’s hottest on record.
Editor’s note: Kari Hulac was previously Berkeley Earth’s social media manager.
Berkeleyside reporter Iris Kwok contributed to this report.
