‘Hazardous heat’ forecast across Bay Area and California this week

A heat advisory is in effect throughout the entire Bay Area and along the Central Coast as temperatures climb 15 to 25 degrees above normal for the month of October.

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A ridge, or area of high pressure, over the Western portion of the U.S. is causing sinking air in the upper atmosphere. That’s driving hot temperatures across the region, Dial Hoang, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office, told SFGATE. The heat advisory will last through 10 p.m. on Sunday, but has been extended for interior portions of the Bay Area until 10 p.m. on Wednesday. “But we are tracking the forecast and if we start to see a strong signal for warmer temperatures in the region, we may need to extend it,” Hoang said.

The sweltering weather has extended down to Los Angeles and San Diego, where extreme heat warnings are in effect with a high risk of heat-related illness. In the Bay Area, temperatures could break records later this week, namely near Oakland on Thursday, Hoang said.  

“This is going to be very hazardous heat for a lot of people, especially in inland areas,” he said. “People at high elevations won’t get much relief at night because the overnight lows remain mild.”

Hoang said temperatures are expected to plateau from Sunday into Wednesday, where most inland portions of the Bay Area will likely see daytime highs in the mid-90s, with some cities reaching 102 to 104 degrees. In downtown San Francisco, temperatures will be closer to the mid-80s, while coastal cities will likely remain in the 70s.

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People should “stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade,” he said. “Try to move outdoor activities to cooler parts of the day, and never leave people or pets in unattended vehicles.”

Fortunately, relief is on the horizon: A “substantial” cool down is expected across the region by Thursday into next weekend, Hoang said.  

Check with the weather service for updates on the forecast.