Dangerous heat continues Tuesday following a record-setting Labor Day across Northern California. Meteorologist Tamara Berg says Tuesday is expected to heat up pretty quickly. By noon, temperatures will already be above 105 degrees, continuing up to 113 and even possibly hitting 115 degrees, especially between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday’s temperatures are also expected to break all-time records. “Today is going to be one of the hottest days ever recorded in Sacramento history, breaking the record that goes back two years ago on this actual day, and then surpassing the all-time high temperature of 114, and that goes all the way back to 1925,” Berg said. She added that Tuesday is the peak of the heat wave event as the area of high pressure continues expanding west. Tuesday will be KCRA 3 Weather Alert Day and Wednesday through Friday Weather Impact days, which means you should take steps to keep yourself safe from the weather. In this case, it’s heat that could be threatening to sensitive groups.Make use of the cooler morning hours for any strenuous activities and try to limit your outdoor exposure between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Find the full forecast here:| VIDEO BELOW | California officials warn of strain on the state’s power grid, say rolling blackouts are possible KCRA 3’s weather team says that it likely won’t be until Saturday or Sunday that we see temperatures noticeably drop. | VIDEO BELOW | What to know about heat-related illnessesIncreased Fire RiskThe hot weather will dry fuels, meaning fires can start quickly and spread faster.If you are going to be camping this weekend, be very careful with any campfires and do not leave them unattended.Be aware of your surroundings and be ready to move if you see or smell smoke.Fire officials across the region are worried that the high heat, paired with the dry conditions, will spread fires easier. Sacramento Metro Fire Captain Parker Wilbourn said that it is especially concerning with many people expected to grill outside, including in the wildland areas, during the holiday weekend.”With the conditions being so hot, we are on edge,” Wilbourn said. “Sometimes it just takes that small spark, whether it be from a barbecue or a chain hitting the ground from a trailer or any open flame at a campsite, a small spark can create a very large wildfire that threatens our communities and threatens our homes.”Read more here.KCRA’s Fire Threat IndexKCRA 3’s weather team has developed a tool the team will be using to keep you informed as fire conditions change. It’s called the Fire Threat Index. This will give you an idea of the fire risk on any given day in different areas of our coverage region so you can plan ahead.Toggle below to see the Fire Threat Index for different parts of Northern California over the next few days: Fire Threat Index: ValleyFire Threat Index: Sierra Fire Threat Index: FoothillsFire Threat Index: Coastal Hills The Fire Index will stay in the High category until cooler weather arrives next week.| Weather Resources | Important numbers for outages, more Here’s how to find NorCal cooling centersCooling centers across Northern California are open to allow some residents to get a break from the forecasted week of triple-digit heat.| Read More | Here are the cooling centers opening Thursday amid forecast triple digits in NorCalFlex Alert extended: California residents urged to ease power usageCalifornia’s grid operator is asking people to conserve power for the seventh day in a row as it extended its Flex Alert into Tuesday. Residents are urged to conserve electricity from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Cal ISO also on Monday issued an Energy Emergency Alert Watch on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. With an EEA Watch, energy deficiencies are expected and the grid manager will seek to get additional energy from other sources to help avoid the risk of a rolling blackout.The Sacramento Municipal Utility District, or SMUD, is also asking customers to conserve electricity from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Officials say that if people don’t dramatically ramp up conservation efforts, the state may be forced to turn to rotating outages. This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order meant to ramp up the state’s energy supply temporarily.| MORE | Flex Alert issued for Californians amid forecasted triple-digit temperaturesCustomers can help ease pressure on the grid by easing power usage during the afternoon and evening: Set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, if health permitsAvoid using major appliancesTurn off unnecessary lightsUse fans for coolingUnplug unused items| Video Below | California residents asked to ease power usage as temperatures rise in coming weekSacramento County officials recommend canceling outdoor eventsThe Sacramento County Division of Public Health and Office of Emergency Services in a release Wednesday that it recommends outdoor events between noon to 8 p.m. from Saturday to Tuesday be canceled.This includes youth sports, community gatherings, parades, marches or any events that could involve children, older adults, or any people with compromised immune systems that may be sensitive to the heat. | VIDEO BELOW | Event organizers make changes to account for weekend heat What is a heat dome and why is it popping up on social media?As the name suggests, a heat dome is a region of very warm or hot air that can linger in the same general location for several days to a couple of weeks. This is a fairly common weather pattern in the U.S. West during the summer months.The “dome” effect is created when a strong area of high pressure lingers over an area for an extended period of time. The stronger the high, the more likely it is to trap air underneath it.The longer that air remains trapped in place, the more the sun works to heat the air, producing gradual warming day after day.Any area of high pressure, whether a “heat dome” or not, forces air to slowly sink. Sinking air compresses as it reaches the ground and that forces the air to warm up even more. Air also gets drier as it sinks. Drier air can heat more dramatically than air that is moister, so this can even further amplify warming.| Read More | What is a heat dome and how is it impacting Northern California heat?Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaChief Meteorologist Mark Finan on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Melanie Hunter on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Eileen Javora on FacebookMeteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist Heather Waldman on FacebookWatch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.Here is where you can download our app for the latest weather alerts.
Dangerous heat continues Tuesday following a record-setting Labor Day across Northern California.
Meteorologist Tamara Berg says Tuesday is expected to heat up pretty quickly.
By noon, temperatures will already be above 105 degrees, continuing up to 113 and even possibly hitting 115 degrees, especially between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Tuesday’s temperatures are also expected to break all-time records.
“Today is going to be one of the hottest days ever recorded in Sacramento history, breaking the record that goes back two years ago on this actual day, and then surpassing the all-time high temperature of 114, and that goes all the way back to 1925,” Berg said.
She added that Tuesday is the peak of the heat wave event as the area of high pressure continues expanding west.
Tuesday will be KCRA 3 Weather Alert Day and Wednesday through Friday Weather Impact days, which means you should take steps to keep yourself safe from the weather. In this case, it’s heat that could be threatening to sensitive groups.
Make use of the cooler morning hours for any strenuous activities and try to limit your outdoor exposure between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Find the full forecast here:
| VIDEO BELOW | California officials warn of strain on the state’s power grid, say rolling blackouts are possible
KCRA 3’s weather team says that it likely won’t be until Saturday or Sunday that we see temperatures noticeably drop.
| VIDEO BELOW | What to know about heat-related illnesses
Increased Fire Risk
The hot weather will dry fuels, meaning fires can start quickly and spread faster.
If you are going to be camping this weekend, be very careful with any campfires and do not leave them unattended.
Be aware of your surroundings and be ready to move if you see or smell smoke.
Fire officials across the region are worried that the high heat, paired with the dry conditions, will spread fires easier. Sacramento Metro Fire Captain Parker Wilbourn said that it is especially concerning with many people expected to grill outside, including in the wildland areas, during the holiday weekend.
“With the conditions being so hot, we are on edge,” Wilbourn said. “Sometimes it just takes that small spark, whether it be from a barbecue or a chain hitting the ground from a trailer or any open flame at a campsite, a small spark can create a very large wildfire that threatens our communities and threatens our homes.”
Read more here.
KCRA’s Fire Threat Index
KCRA 3’s weather team has developed a tool the team will be using to keep you informed as fire conditions change. It’s called the Fire Threat Index. This will give you an idea of the fire risk on any given day in different areas of our coverage region so you can plan ahead.
Toggle below to see the Fire Threat Index for different parts of Northern California over the next few days:
Fire Threat Index: Valley
Fire Threat Index: Sierra
Fire Threat Index: Foothills
Fire Threat Index: Coastal Hills
The Fire Index will stay in the High category until cooler weather arrives next week.
| Weather Resources | Important numbers for outages, more
Here’s how to find NorCal cooling centers
Cooling centers across Northern California are open to allow some residents to get a break from the forecasted week of triple-digit heat.
| Read More | Here are the cooling centers opening Thursday amid forecast triple digits in NorCal
Flex Alert extended: California residents urged to ease power usage
California’s grid operator is asking people to conserve power for the seventh day in a row as it extended its Flex Alert into Tuesday. Residents are urged to conserve electricity from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Cal ISO also on Monday issued an Energy Emergency Alert Watch on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. With an EEA Watch, energy deficiencies are expected and the grid manager will seek to get additional energy from other sources to help avoid the risk of a rolling blackout.
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District, or SMUD, is also asking customers to conserve electricity from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Officials say that if people don’t dramatically ramp up conservation efforts, the state may be forced to turn to rotating outages.
This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order meant to ramp up the state’s energy supply temporarily.
| MORE | Flex Alert issued for Californians amid forecasted triple-digit temperatures
Customers can help ease pressure on the grid by easing power usage during the afternoon and evening:
- Set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, if health permits
- Avoid using major appliances
- Turn off unnecessary lights
- Use fans for cooling
- Unplug unused items
| Video Below | California residents asked to ease power usage as temperatures rise in coming week
Sacramento County officials recommend canceling outdoor events
The Sacramento County Division of Public Health and Office of Emergency Services in a release Wednesday that it recommends outdoor events between noon to 8 p.m. from Saturday to Tuesday be canceled.
This includes youth sports, community gatherings, parades, marches or any events that could involve children, older adults, or any people with compromised immune systems that may be sensitive to the heat.
| VIDEO BELOW | Event organizers make changes to account for weekend heat
What is a heat dome and why is it popping up on social media?
As the name suggests, a heat dome is a region of very warm or hot air that can linger in the same general location for several days to a couple of weeks. This is a fairly common weather pattern in the U.S. West during the summer months.
The “dome” effect is created when a strong area of high pressure lingers over an area for an extended period of time. The stronger the high, the more likely it is to trap air underneath it.
The longer that air remains trapped in place, the more the sun works to heat the air, producing gradual warming day after day.
Any area of high pressure, whether a “heat dome” or not, forces air to slowly sink. Sinking air compresses as it reaches the ground and that forces the air to warm up even more.
Air also gets drier as it sinks. Drier air can heat more dramatically than air that is moister, so this can even further amplify warming.
| Read More | What is a heat dome and how is it impacting Northern California heat?
Follow our KCRA weather team on social media
Watch our forecasts on TV or online
Here’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.
We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.
Here is where you can download our app for the latest weather alerts.
