Heat wave begins in Sacramento as Northern California bakes. Here’s what to expect

Triple-digit temperatures are scorching Sacramento ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

Monday marked the beginning of the heat wave in Northern California, with the capital city recording a high temperature of 102 degrees .

According to the National Weather Service’s latest forecast, the 100-degree heat could stretch into next week.

What’s in the weather forecast for Sacramento?

It’ll be sunny and hot all week in the Sacramento area, according to the National Weather Service’s seven-day forecast .

Tuesday’s high temperature will be near 109 degrees, the weather service said, while the low temperature should drop down to around 76 degrees.

As of Tuesday morning, Wednesday was expected be the hottest day of the week with a high near 112 degrees. At night, temperatures may subside to around 72 degrees.

Thursday, Independence Day, will see a high of 108 degrees and a low of 71 degrees, the weather service said.

Highs for Friday and Saturday will be near 110 degrees, with lows around 70 and 69 degrees, respectively.

Sunday will see a high around 107 degrees, according to the forecast, with the temperature dipping to 68 degrees at night.

More temperatures topping 100 degrees are expected next week, with Monday forecast to have a high of 105 degrees.

How long could heat wave last?

“This triple-digit heat will continue into the middle of next week,” said Kate Forrest, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

On Monday, July 8, the western portions of the Sacramento area, towards the Delta, may see some reprieve from the heat, depending on how strong and far the Delta breeze pushes in.

“Other places in the Sacramento Valley, (Sierra Nevada) foothills and mountains will likely still see above-normal high temperatures through the middle of next week,” Forrest said.

According to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, Sacramento is at high risk for excessive heat from July 9 through July 11.

Will Sacramento break any temperature reports?

Downtown Sacramento saw a record streak of 11 consecutive days with temperatures above 100 degrees in 2006, Forrest said, lasting from July 16 to July 26 that year.

“There’s potential to break that consecutive streak,” Forrest said, or tie it.

The last comparable Fourth of July heatwave was back in 2013, she said.

“In Sacramento, there were seven consecutive days reaching 100 degrees or greater” that year, Forrest said.

From June 28 to July 4, all of the days were 105 degrees or warmer.

Downtown Sacramento reached an all-time high temperature of 116 degrees on Sept. 6, 2022, the National Weather Service said, breaking a record set nearly a century ago.

Red flag warning issued amid Northern California fire risks

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning that will remain from 7:20 a.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The warning, which indicates critical fire weather conditions, affects an area spanning the Sacramento Valley and northern Sierra foothills.

The highest threat is for areas west of Interstate 5 and elevations below 3,000 feet, the weather service said.

“The combination of gusty wind and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity,” the agency said. “Outdoor burning is not recommended.”

According to the weather service, the region will experience northerly winds of up to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

The strongest winds are expected Tuesday morning along the western half of the Sacramento Valley into the eastern Coast mountain range, the agency said.

Relative humidity of 5% to 15% is expected during the daytime. At night, it should rise to 15% to 35%.

Sacramento Valley under excessive heat warning

There’s also an excessive heat warning for the Sacramento Valley, Motherlode and northern San Joaquin Valley, in place from 11 a.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The weather service warned of “dangerously hot conditions” with high temperatures of 105 to 115 degrees.

There will be “limited overnight relief,” the agency said, when low temperatures drop to the upper 60s to mid 80s.

“ Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” the weather service said.

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