First Heatwave of 2025 Brings Health Concerns

The Bay Area is gearing up for its first heat wave of 2025. This is causing some concern because the high temperatures will also bring unhealthy smog levels. The Bay Area Air District has issued a Spare the Air alert for Friday. This means that people should avoid burning wood and driving to keep pollution down. The National Weather Service has forecasted that temperatures will soar into the 100s in some eastern parts of Contra Costa County. The mercury is expected to climb into the high 90s in several other areas, including Livermore, Pleasanton, the Santa Clara Valley, Walnut Creek, and Concord. Thursday gave a taste of what's to come, with temperatures in the high 80s in the hottest spots. By noon, the region was already feeling the heat, with temperatures about 6-8 degrees higher than the previous day. San Jose might hit 90 degrees, while the Peninsula could see the 80s, and Oakland and Richmond might reach the high 70s. All of this is due to a high-pressure system building over most of the state. A low-pressure trough near the Mexico-California border will keep the heat wave from lingering too long in the Bay Area. This means the heat wave and the air alert should both be over by Saturday. The air district issued 17 Spare the Air alerts in 2024. The good news is that cooler temperatures and a sea breeze are expected to move in by Saturday. By the middle of next week, the hottest spots should be back to the low to mid-70s. This heat wave serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for extreme weather conditions. It's crucial to stay informed about weather forecasts and take necessary precautions to protect health and the environment.