2023 HOT!!! HOT!!! HOT!!!

 

DO COOLER SF TEMPERATURES MEAN COOLER TRAVEL?

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, weather in final week of July is forecasted to bring us a break in the current severe heat wave. It may be a little windy on Monday, but onshore winds will keep the Bay Area cooler throughout the rest of the week.

After lots of sun and warm, triple-digit inland temperatures this past weekend, the heatwave is over. We can expect more typical July weather to be on its way. But remember, with the area’s microclimates, this still means you can experience temperature difference shock when traveling across the Bay Area region. While the coast returns to near-normal temperatures in the low 60s, heading inland toward Walnut Creek or Livermore can result in you finding yourself in temps in the 80s and 90s. A 30-degree temperature swing is very noticeable. [For an in-depth breakdown of the weather forecast this week in the Bay Area, CLICK HERE.]

OUTSIDE THE BAY AREA, HEAT STILL LOOMS LARGE

On top of that, summer vacation plans and road trips will take many of us to other parts of the West Coast and the rest of the country. Bear in mind that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that Americans can likely expect summer temperatures to be even more sweltering than usual.

These hotter-than-normal temperatures are possible for much of the U.S., with all of the East Coast, the South, the West Coast and Rockies forecast to sustain extremely hot conditions. “Overall, 2023 is likely to fall under the top 10 warmest years on record, perhaps even the top five.” said Karin Gleason, monitoring section chief for the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, during a call with reporters on Thursday. The only regions in the U.S. that will see near normal summer temperatures will be in the Plains, the Great Lakes and the Midwest.

Credit: ABC News, Max Golembo and Julia Jacobo
https://abcnews.go.com/US/hotter-normal-temperatures-us-summer-noaa/story?id=99425285

A large portion of the country experienced record-high temperatures to start the year, according to NOAA. Forecasts for the West feature expectations for a drier-than-normal summer, especially in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and western Texas, according to NOAA. Washington, Oregon and parts of Idaho could also be on the drier side.

In the East, there could be more than the normal amount of precipitation. Summer is forecast to be wet and humid on the East Coast from New York to Mississippi and even toward southern Wisconsin.

HUGE SHIFTS IN TEMPS

What does this mean for you? As mentioned before, temperatures can shift immensely if you travel. This is true for even relatively shorter distances. Take a quick trip even during our current cool-down and you can find yourself facing dangerous heat conditions.  

July 22nd’s high of 118 in Phoenix was 2 degrees higher than the previous record set for the day. It was also the 23rd straight day with highs at 110 or above and the sixth consecutive day with temperatures of at least 115. Salt Lake City also reached a record temperature of 106 on Saturday.

Closer to home, Los Angeles County issued excessive heat warnings and heat advisories for the weekend in the Santa Clarita Valley, Calabasas, parts of the Santa Monica Mountains and other areas. Residents were encouraged to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day, stay hydrated and wear lightweight, light-colored clothes.  

In Las Vegas, temperatures have consistently been around 110. The National Weather Service conducted an experiment to see whether cookies would bake better in a hot car than on asphalt. The agency found the cookies baked better in a car on the dashboard, where temperatures reached over 210 degrees. 

This is why you should NEVER leave children or pets in a hot car!

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

• Some tips for traveling during the summer heat wave:
• Drink plenty of water, but don't flood your system.
• Make sure you keep an adequate supply of cold water, juice and/or soft drinks in a well-insulated container INSIDE the passenger area of your vehicle.
• Drinking Pedialyte or Sports Drinks can help replace lost electrolytes.
• Make sure your route and schedule make allowances for several for restroom “pit stops” in safe locations.
• Stay out of the sun when possible.
• Infants and children should wear a floppy hat to protect the scalp from overheating. Everyone can benefit from wearing some head covering.
• Apply sunscreen BEFORE going outside.
• Children and older adults are more vulnerable to high temperatures and should be closely monitored.

For obvious reasons, hot weather also puts an extra burden on the systems that keep your car’s engine and cabin cool. Make sure these systems are in good order BEFORE you leave on your trip. This will help keep you comfortable AND it will also protect your engine.

Your vehicle’s air conditioning system may fool you into thinking your surroundings are actually more comfortable and safer than they are. So make sure you are prepared for hot, uncomfortable and even dangerous heat whenever you travel in you vehicle this summer.

Stay cool, everyone!