San Francisco Bay Area roasts as extremely high temps extend past July 4
SAN FRANCISCO -- A heat wave that's expected to sizzle the Bay Area well into next week brought more high temperature records on Thursday.
At San Francisco International Airport, a high of 87 degrees toppled the previous record of 85 set on July 4, 1973, according to the National Weather Service.
And in San Rafael, a high of 98 degrees tied the previous record set July 4, 2013. It's the third day in a row for record-high temperatures in San Rafael, with 103 on Tuesday and 100 on Wednesday. Those highs beat records set in 1991 and 2001, respectively.
Elsewhere around the Bay Area, records this week included 110 in Livermore on Wednesday, topping 109 on July 3, 2001; and 105 in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, beating a record of 103 on July 2, 1970.
Extremely hot conditions in the region are forecast through the middle of next week. The peak of the heat wave is expected on Saturday and higher locations in southern Monterey and San Benito counties may see temperatures of 115 degrees.
Temperatures along the immediate shoreline coast will be cooler, in the 60s and 70s. At other locations, however, the weather service advises staying inside in an air conditioned environment between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Bay Area counties have opened cooling centers across the region for those who do not have air conditioning.
Most of the region is under an excessive heat warning or heat advisory though 11 p.m. July 10.
"Suspend unnecessary outdoor activities during the extreme heat but, if you must be outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade or AC and drink cool water," the weather service said in an advisory.
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KPIX chief meteorologist Paul Heggen says residents should see a slight decrease in temperatures Saturday and Sunday but it will still be extremely hot inland. He noted that the National Weather Service has extended the inland Excessive Heat Warning and bayside Heat Advisory all the way through Wednesday but speculated the extension could be "a couple days too many (especially for the heat advisory)."
However, Heggen said temperatures will continue to run above-average, even as the region trends closer to "hot" instead of "crazy hot."
The Red Flag Warning the East Bay hills and interior mountains of the North Bay has been extended all the way through 9 p.m. Saturday.
The increased fire danger due to the higher temperatures remained evident as crews dealt with several large fires in the Bay Area and Northern California, including the Thompson Fire in Butte County that forced some 28,000 people to evacuate the area around Oroville, and the Toll Fire in Napa County just north of Calistoga.
On Thursday morning, the new Grande Fire broke out in a remote area of Stanislaus County. So far it has burned over 300 acres.
The hot temperatures led to the cancellation of some daytime July 4th festivities (in Antioch and Yountville) and fireworks shows (in St. Helena and Healdsburg), but many holiday celebrations are continuing as planned.
Parks closed Tuesday by the East Bay Regional Park District will remain closed at least through Friday, according to district officials. However, swim facilities and shoreline regional parks were set to remain open through heat event. The district will reassess conditions and provide additional information Friday evening. Information on all the parks closed by the hot weather can be found on the EBRPD website.
