A significant high-temperature heat wave is predicted in California this week. In fact, much of the western U.S. is experiencing soaring summer temperatures. There are many reasons for this rising temperature, which we will discuss today. California heat wave temperatures are expected to go up to 110 degrees, which can have severe health, wildfire, and infrastructure hazards.
Northern California has a high pressure just offshore from Tuesday, which will cause high temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above the average throughout the week in this guide, we will discuss the causes of California's heat wave temperatures, how to prepare for the heat wave, and what equipment you need.
Key Takeaways
- The heat wave is predicted to start on Tuesday and last until the weekend of the 4th of July.
- California is not the only state experiencing rising temperatures. The other western states, Washington, Nevada, and Oregon, will also experience a 10—to 20-degree rise in average temperature this week.
- The heat wave in the West will be more challenging at night, and overnight cooling will also not be as effective.
- North Bay Mountains and East Bay Hills are the most at risk.
- Humidity will be dangerously low at 11%, and northerly winds gusting at 35mph are expected.
California Heat Wave Facts
What is a Heat Dome?
A heat dome occurs when high solid pressure traps hot air in a region. It prevents cool air from traveling and results in high ground temperatures. This heat dome is a significant cause of heat waves in the area.
This recent heat dome caused high California heat wave temperatures, and heat waves in the country's eastern half started from the southwest.
What is a heat wave?
Heat Waves occur when scorching weather continues for more than two days. According to the National Weather Service, the recent California heat wave is one of the worst: "The duration of this heat wave is notable and potentially the longest experienced in decades for some locations."
Though heatwave and heat dome are commonly used alternatively, heatwave is a consequence of heat dome.
Impact Of California Heat Wave Temperatures
California has a largely arid climate, so these types of heat domes contribute significantly to long heat waves. Other global patterns, like drought conditions, also intensify heat waves. The high California heat wave temperatures can cause wildfires, pose threats to human and animal life, and damage infrastructure.
As the heatwaves become more frequent, air pollution has worsened, and the key infrastructure is weakening.
We can summarize the negative impact of California heat wave temperatures as follows;
- Low agriculture productivity
- Water sanitation is affected
- Wildlife death
- Labor productivity suffers
- Biodiversity
- Outdoor exercise and exposure are reduced
Current News About California Heat Wave Temperature
The heat wave will hit Northern California on Tuesday morning, July 2, 2024. The Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys and the Sierra foothills will also be affected. The temperature forecast is 95 to 108 degrees, while the nighttime temperatures will be in the 60s to mid-70s.
Across inland, North and East Bay and the Sonoma County mountains are expected to reach 100 degrees on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
“There is a moderate to high risk for those who are heat sensitive, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration” - The National Weather Service Bay Area.
The widespread warming will also increase snowmelt, raising concerns about cold, fast-moving waterways across the state, creating what the weather service warned could be “potentially dangerous conditions for those seeking relief in rivers and lakes.” — NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) June 2, 2024
California Heat Wave Contacts & Resources
The long heat waves with little nighttime cooling are dangerous for health, especially for the elderly, children, and pregnant women. Therefore, heat safety must be followed. Government agencies have issued special warnings, watches, advisories, resources, and guidelines for the heatwave.
Resources For California Heat Wave Temperatures
- How to stay safe in extreme heat(California Governor's Office Of Emergency Services)
- Find a cooling center near you (California Governor's Office Of Emergency Services.
- Heat Advisory(California Department of Public Health)
- Preventing heat-related Illness(Centers for Disease Control)
- Monitor the weather forecast in your area by zip code(weather.gov)
- Signs of dehydration(Center for Disease Control)
- Subscribe to Flex Alerts for news on power on in California (California ISO)
- If you cannot afford it, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for your cooling costs, weatherization, or energy-related home repairs.
- Additional heat wave resources for older adults and people with disabilities (CDA)
Elderly Services:
- Aging and Adult Information Line–Local information and assistance for aging and disability services 1 (800) 510-2020
- Friendship Line California–Helping older adults stay connected, call 1 (888) 670-1360
- CRISISline– Report elderly abuse and neglect. Call, 1 (800) 231-4024
- Adult Protective Services– For reporting mistreatment of elders and dependent individuals, call 1 (833) 401-0832
California Heat Wave Safety Tips
How To Prepare For Heat Wave
- Fans create airflow but do not reduce the body temperature and you are still at risk of heat related illness. Therefore, a fan should be one of many cooling devices.
- Use California Governor's Office Of Emergency Services’s service to find a cooling center near you. Also, you can identify places like libraries or malls with air conditioning.
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Weather-strip doors and windows with drapes or shades. Also, window reflectors can be used to reflect heat.
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A powered attic ventilator or attic fan can reduce heat levels in the building by clearing out hot air.
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Insulate around when using air conditioners.
How To Keep Safe During Outdoors
The primary advice is to avoid going outside during California heat wave temperatures; however, if you need to go out, follow these guidelines to remain safe.- When the California heat wave temperaturesgo high, and you must go outside, consistent fluid intake is critical for your well-being. R
- When you sweat in hot weather, you lose water and electrolytes. So, adding electrolytes is also important.
- Extreme heat also converts existing elements in the air into ozone and lowers air quality. So, using a HEPA [high-efficiency particulate air] filter is very effective.
- Double-layer broad-spectrum sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat are necessary for skin and eye protection.
- Be cautious if you have any illnesses that can be triggered by excessive heat. Asthma, migraine, rosacea, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and migraines are some examples of such diseases. Talking to your healthcare adviser will help.
How To Keep Your Home Cool
- Air conditioning substantially lowers the temperature at home. However, surging utility bills and unexpected power outages during heat waves can make air conditioners unaffordable or unavailable. Using an air conditioner a few degrees above can help to save on power bills. You can also choose to spend the hottest days in cooling centers.
- Close the curtains during the day to keep your home safe from heating.
- It is also beneficial to position battery-operated fans strategically to draw cool air. If it's cooler outside, you can place your fan on a windowsill.
How To Stay Cool And Hydrated
- Wear light and loose-fitting clothes.
- Avoid outdoors in the peak sun hours. If you have to go anyway, use shade or shelter.
- Limit physical activity, and if you have necessary chores, try to shift them to early morning.
- Limit the use of stoves and ovens.
- To lower body temperature, use a spray bottle or a damp cloth on your skin. Also, apply cool packs to your neck and shoulders.
- Take showers or baths frequently.
- When the outside air cools down after the sunset, open your windows and doors to drive warm air out and help cool down the house.
- Drink plenty of water, but avoid alcoholic or sugar drinks.
- Carry water with you when going outside.
Tips For Infants, Children, And Pregnant Women
Pregnant moms:- Better to stay inside during peak sun hours, i.e., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Shift your chores or other physical activity to early morning or evening.
- Drink lots of fluid, i.e., aim for at least 8 to 12 glasses of water every day, even if you are not feeling thirsty. You may also need fluids with electrolytes.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and natural fiber clothing.
- If your body temperature goes high, consult your doctor.
- Look for signs of heatstroke, i.e.
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps
- Rapid breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Confusion
- Keep newborns and infants out of direct sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Babies can overheat quickly as their sweating ability is limited. So choose their clothing wisely and opt for only one layer, and that too of lightweight, natural fiber, and light-colored clothes.
- Offer more breast milk to prevent dehydration.
- Leaving infants inside cars can have potentially fatal consequences.
- Babies 6 months and older should also use sunscreen.
- Do not put babies directly next to the air conditioner to avoid babies getting too cold.
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The warning signs of heat stroke or dehydration in babies are;
- Cracked lips
- Dry mouth and tongue
- Fever over 100.4 F
- Rapid breathing
- Restlessness
- Sunburn or heat rash
- Less number of wet diapers
| Dos | Do Nots | |
| Infants & Children | 1. Avoid outdoors.2. Keep hydrated. For infants, offer more breastmilk.3. Use sunscreen for infants over six months of age.4. Use one layer of clothing.5. Opt for lightweight, light-colored, natural fabric.6. Look for the signs of heat stroke or dehydration. | 1. Do not leave infants inside cars ever.2. Avoid sugary drinks.3. Do not place babies next to the air conditioner. |
| Pregnant Women | 1. Stay hydrated.2. Avoid outdoors.3. Use natural fiber, lightweight, and loose-fitting clothes.4. Talk to your doctor if you see signs of dehydration or sunstroke.5. If your body temperature goes high, talk to your doctor.6. Take frequent showers. | 1. Avoid alcoholic or sugary drinks.2. Avoid outdoors. |
Heat-Related Illness and Tips
The human body can withstand rising temperatures only up to a point. Sweating is the natural cooling process of the body to prevent overheating. However, sweating also loses salts and electrolytes. This can lead to exhaustion and cramps. This is the first stage of heat exhaustion. If the conditions persist, blood pressure may drop, and the patient can experience headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
If you don't get to cool down within 30 minutes, organs can shut down, and cardiac arrest can also be a consequence. This stage is swift and deadly. Heat strokes are also particularly dangerous as they can quickly progress within 30 minutes.
Therefore, it is critical to look for the signs of overheating and heat stroke and cool down the body. Find a cool area to lower your body's internal temperature. Wetting your skin with a towel soaked in cool water or taking a bath or shower is also effective.
Safeguard Against Possible Power Outages
As the California heat wave temperatures rise, power outages can become frequent because of faults and system overloading. In hot weather, the demand for power becomes higher as everyone is using air conditioning and other appliances more frequently. So, you have to prepare for power outages as well. Follow these steps to reduce the load on the grid and also manage the power outage when it occurs.- Close the blinds to keep direct sunlight out of your house. This will reduce the power needed to cool your house.
- Though fans do not reduce the room temperature, they help the human body regulate it. A ceiling fan can make you feel 6 to 7 degrees cooler than the room temperature.
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Running large appliances after peak hours, like at night, when energy demand is less, can also save money, as the power rate is generally lower during off-peak hours.
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Invest in alternative power sources like generators. We recommend Jackery solar generators to power your home in case of an outage. These generators are noise-free, toxic emissions-free, economical, and very environmentally friendly. They work on solar energy; hence, there is no fuel cost.
Jackery Solar Generators for Emergencies
Power outages during extreme California heat wave temperatures can be devastating, especially if you have children and elderly at home. The Jackery solar power generators are large enough to run your refrigerator, air conditioner, fans, lights, and other essential home appliances. These solar backup generators are noise-free, economical, and reliable energy sources.
Jackery offers a wide range of solar generators with different sizes and capacities. For emergency backup, we recommend the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus and Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro, which have large capacities of 2042.8Wh and 3024Wh, respectively.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a capacity of 3024Wh and a massive 3000W power output. It is essential to understand that Jackery solar generators are safe and reliable, unlike gas generators. This generator has an industry-leading BMS (Battery Management System) that provides 12 layers of protection against short circuits and overvoltage. As the solar generators work on solar power, there is no noise, toxic gas emissions, or heat dissipation.
Customer Review:
MARK ZAIS
“Great utility and easy to use
I recently had an in-home consultation for a built-in generator estimate. While I wanted to prepare for hurricane season, I was not ready to pay $15K for a generator and installation. The Jackery 3000 Pro with solar panels meets our needs and is much more economical, easy to use, and convenient to store."
The following table summarizes the working time of different Jackery solar generator 3000 Pro appliances.
|
Appliance |
Working Time |
|
Refrigerator(520W) |
5 H |
|
TV(60W) |
35 H |
|
Light(5W) |
220 H |
|
Heater(1800W) |
2.2 H |
|
Microwave(960W) |
2.2 H |
|
Electric grill(850W) |
2.4 H |
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The Solar Generator 2000 Plus has an essential 2kWh capacity. You can add more battery packs and solar panels to expand the capacity to 24kWh. Even this basic capacity is enough for home backup in emergencies. You can run most of your home appliances on this basic capacity. The expanded 24kWh setup supports two weeks of home backup.
The Jackery solar generators have multiple output ports, including AC, DC, and USB. You can connect up to 18 devices simultaneously.
Customer Review:
It's very good quality, and the battery lasts a very long time. It's very easy to move around with the built-in tires. I love the upgradeability. It's the best solar generator I have ever had.
The following table summarizes the working hours of different devices on fully charged Jackery 2000 Plus.
|
Appliances |
Working Time |
|
Portable Air Conditioner(1150W) |
1.9 H |
|
Microwave(1050W) |
1.5 H |
|
Kettle(850W) |
1.9 H |
|
Coffee Maker(550W) |
2.8 H |
|
Drone(90W) |
45 Times |
|
Electric Oven(800W) |
2.1 H |
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus - 4kWh
The Solar Generator 2000 Plus (4kWh) has a 4 kWh expandable capacity. You can expand the capacity up to 24 kWh by adding battery packs and solar panels. This generator is large enough to run a normal household during long power outages effectively. With its quick charging capability, you can charge the generator fully in just 4 hours. So, you can take advantage of the blazing sun for solar charging.
You can manage the generator using the Smart App Control. The LED screen on the generator also shows the battery statistics and other information to make the use very simple.
Customer Review:
“I could not ask for a more reliable battery. The shipment was super fast, and the unit charged very fast. Excellent quality. We are stacking up!”
The following table summarizes the working time of different appliances on the Jackery solar generator 2000 Plus Kit-4kWh.
|
Appliances |
Working Time |
|
Portable Air Conditioner(1150W) |
3.8 H |
|
Microwave(1050W) |
3 H |
|
Kettle(850W) |
3.8 H |
|
Coffee Maker(550W) |
5.6 H |
|
Drone(90W) |
90 Times |
|
Electric Oven(800W) |
4.2 H |
California Heat Wave FAQs
What size of solar generator do I need for an emergency?
The size of the solar generator you need for an emergency power outage depends on the number of appliances you want to run and their power wattages. So, the first number you need to know is how much your total wattage requirement is.
For this, list all the appliances you want to run during the power outage and write the running wattage and starting wattage of each appliance next to it.
Next, add all running wattage and the highest starting wattage to this sum. The final sum is your total wattage.
Working time = capacity of the generator x 0.85 / total required wattage
So if your total wattage is 1200 watts, then;
Working time of a 1200 watts on 3000 Pro = 3024 * 0.85 / 1200 = 2.1 Hours
But it is important to understand that you will probably not be running only some of your appliances all the time. So, the actual running time of your solar generator will be longer.
What is causing the heat dome?
Heat domes like the one causing the recent California heat wave temperatures are caused by many meteorological elements working together. Climate change, global warming, and the damaged ozone layer are essential factors.
Why is there excessive heat in California?
California’s geographical properties are the reason for California's heat wave temperatures. This state is located near the equator at a low latitude (location near the equator). Secondly, a large portion of the state has dry desert-like conditions.
What is the hottest temperature a human can survive?
A human can survive high temperatures between 104 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
Final Thoughts
A long and severe heat wave will hit California on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Today's high California heat wave temperatures are dangerous for human life, animals, infrastructure, and the environment on many levels. Government agencies have issued several watches, warnings, and advisories for the general public to remain safe. The weather can get really challenging for everyone, but especially for children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
The system overload can cause extended power outages as the power requirement increases. We recommend using Jackery solar power generators to keep a steady and reliable power supply for your home.
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