Hot weather bakes Bay Area, Northern California; excessive heat warning issued

Northern California is once again feeling the effects of a fall heat wave Monday that will peak on Tuesday and keep temperatures above normal throughout the week.

The National Weather Service issued an Excessive Heat Warning Monday afternoon for large swaths of the Bay Area and the Central Coast, including the Marin and Sonoma Coastal Ranges, North Bay interior mountains, San Francisco Bay Shoreline, East Bay Hills and interior valleys, Santa Clara Valley and Santa Clara Valley.

Earlier, the Weather Service had issued a Heat Advisory for the entire Bay Area, Central Coast and most of the Central Valley beginning at 11 a.m. Monday and lasting through 11 p.m. Wednesday. The Weather Service warned that moderate to major heat risk would likely lead to numerous heat-related impacts to those sensitive to hot weather or without access to adequate cooling.

In the Bay Area, high temperatures will range from the upper 70s to low 90s on the coast, in the 80s to upper 90s around the bay, and the upper 90s to low 100s inland. The Weather Service said the offshore winds are relatively weak, the high afternoon temperatures should trigger a late afternoon sea breeze, bringing some evening relief along the coast.

Record temperatures were possible over the next couple of days, especially on Tuesday when the peak of the heat wave will be felt.

Sonoma County will have several cooling centers open beginning Tuesday for residents who need to escape the heat. Health Officer Dr. Tanya Phares issued a health advisory Monday in response to the National Weather Service's excessive heat warning. 

Temperatures are forecast to be as high as 103 degrees in the city of Sonoma and Healdsburg, 104 in Windsor and 95 in the coastal region. 

Cooling center locations include the Guerneville Library at 14107 Armstrong Woods Road in Guerneville, the Park and Ride lot on Remmel Road in Geyserville and a site to be determined in Sonoma Valley, according to the county.  

Santa Rosa will open Finley Community Center at 2060 College Ave. from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cloverdale will have a cooling center open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Cloverdale Regional Library, 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday at the Senior Center located at 311 N. Main St. 

For specific hours as well as locations of other cooling centers to be opened by cities and community groups in Sonoma County, go to socoemergency.org on Tuesday morning. 

"Extreme heat can pose dangers, but there are things we can do to prevent heat-related health issues and stay safe," said Phares. "Stay hydrated, take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning, and avoid strenuous activities."

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Fire weather concerns are prevalent along higher elevations where there could be wind gusts along mountain peaks and passes. The Weather Service said most terrain above 2,000 ft will stay in the mid 70s all night and with stronger than expected winds it's possible red flag warnings may be issued.

The conditions also prompted Pacific Gas and Electric to enact another series of Public Safety Power Shutoffs for areas of Northern California at risk of wildfires. Monday morning, PG&E had shut off power to several thousand customers in Butte, Shasta, Glenn and Tehama counties. The list of counties under a PSPS warning also include Alameda, Contra Costa and Sonoma counties.

In addition, Bay Area air quality regulators issued a Spare the Air Alert for the region because of the hot weather combined with auto emissions and weak offshore winds.

The Weather Service said onshore winds were expected to return Wednesday afternoon, bringing relief to coastal areas by Thursday and helping alleviate fire weather concerns. However, temperatures in inland areas will remain 15-20 degrees above normal into the weekend and the early part of next week.

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• Heat Wave