Longest triple-digit heatwave of the year arrives in Sacramento this week

Updated Aug. 17

The longest streak of 100-degree-plus days in Sacramento so far this year has begun. 

The National Weather Service says Sacramento will see six triple-digit days in a row — as many as there were in the entire month of June — with peak temperatures of possibly 108 degrees forecasted on Tuesday. That would surpass June’s hottest day of 105 degrees, which is so far the highest temperature reading of 2022.

Sacramento has experienced two 100-plus days in a row three other times this year: once in June and July and two weeks ago.

California's Independent System Operator, which controls the state's power grid, told energy providers to delay taking anything off-line for maintenance this week.

The ISO has called for a Flex Alert Wednesday from 4-9 p.m. During a Flex Alert, residents should reduce their power use by doing things like:

• Setting thermostats to 78 degrees, if health permits
• Avoid using major appliances
• Use fans for cooling
• Unplug unused electronic devices
• Turn off unnecessary lights

The mercury already hit 100 degrees on Sunday. Anna Wanless, a forecaster in the Sacramento NWS office, says Tuesday and Wednesday should be the hottest days this week.

“There's a ridge of high pressure that is sitting over a good chunk of the United States. And it is just gonna sit over us, kinda build to the West” during this latest heat wave, which could extend through Friday, she said.

That high pressure is paired with a lack of a Delta breeze in the evening, which means we won't be cooling off much at night. Overnight temperatures are forecasted in the high-60s.

Wanless at the National Weather Service Office says we shouldn't rule out having more very hot days after this coming spell, either. “It's not uncommon for these stretches to last even into September. It's August, it's still summer, so this isn't very much out of the norm,” she said.

She says residents should drink plenty of water, stay indoors with air conditioning if you can, seek shade if you have to go outdoors and wear light, loose-fitting clothing and sunscreen. It’s also good to check in on elderly neighbors and relatives to make sure they have what they need to cope with the heat, Wanless said.

Many cities and counties in the Sacramento Valley have opened cooling centers for those who are experiencing homelessness or who don't have air-conditioning at their homes.

Sacramento County has opened two cooling centers through Friday: the DHA Annex, at 1725 28th Street; and the DHA Customer Service Center at 5747 Watt Avenue in North Highlands. Both centers are open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Air quality could suffer during the heatwave. The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District has issued a “Spare The Air Day” on Tuesday, the first of 2022. High temperatures, along with a strong inversion and light winds, will result in elevated ground-level ozone that are considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”