It’s not yet summer, but it’s not too early for extreme summer heat.
Record-high temperatures, peaking at 105 degrees, are expected to hit the Sacramento region today and Saturday.
At least until the Delta breeze kicks in Sunday across the Valley, when the thermometer may plunge below 90 degrees, health officials advise that this is not the time to sip alcoholic cocktails under the sun. That will only further dehydrate you amid the withering heat.
And state fire officials suggest that you not even think about barbecuing outdoors or mowing that dry grass in the Sierra foothills. They warn that two days of dry, scorching weather, followed by threats of lightning strikes Sunday, means elevated danger for wildfires.
“In this kind of weather, even a smoldering look can cause a fire,” said Janet Upton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
National Weather Service officials are predicting temperatures in Sacramento will hit 102 today – tying a record from 1883. The heat is expected to reach 105 on Saturday, burning past the high of 103 recorded in 1973.
Weather officials were originally predicting even hotter conditions before determining that a cooling breeze could slip in between competing high and low pressure systems. That would allow high temperatures to drop back down to a comparatively chilly 89 degrees Sunday.
Until then, “there is just going to be a lot of hot air coming in,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Drew Pearson. “It’s unusual to be this hot, this early.”
While the Sacramento region is certainly used to its summer swelters, Dr. Peter Hull, emergency medical director for the Sutter Roseville Medical Center, is putting out warnings early this year on coping with heat.
“Doing everything possible to avoid being out in the heat is the first priority,” said Hull. He added that “the young, the very old, the sick and the obese” should take particular care to drink plenty of fluids and stay in the air-conditioned indoors – whether it’s at home or in a chilled shopping mall or theater.
He warned of signs of heat exhaustion. It may start with cramping. In severe cases, vomiting, diarrhea or disorientation may mean someone needs medical attention and should call 911.