The first heat wave of the year is just around the corner and the Sacramento region is already expected to break heat records.

That’s according to Kate Forrest, a meteorologist with the Sacramento National Weather Service. 

“Our forecasted temperatures are higher than current daily records for Friday,” she said. “For Sacramento Executive, we’re forecasting a high of 104 degrees and their daily record high for May 30 was 103 set in 1910.” 

Forrest said the region typically sees its first 100-degree day across the Sacramento Valley either in the first or second week of June. 

“So this is slightly early, but not terribly unheard of,” she noted. 

But with extreme heat comes elevated fire weather concerns. Forrest said Friday and Saturday will experience high temperatures with low humidity levels, combined with periodically breezy winds.

She added that the first heat wave of the season can catch people off guard because most people haven’t acclimated to the heat. She recommends people take precautions including staying hydrated, staying in air-conditioned buildings and checking on kids, pets and the elderly. 

Fortunately, the heat wave will be short-lived with temperatures expected to drop after Saturday.

“Cooler temperatures and a return of the delta breeze are expected Sunday and heading into early next week, so we should get some reprieve from the heat pretty soon,” she said. 

Cooling centers 

The city of Sacramento will activate two cooling centers, according to its website. 

The Outreach and Engagement Center located at 3615 Auburn Blvd will be open 10 a.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Sunday. Staff stated that storage will be available for personal belongings if needed and will accept pets. 

The Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center located at 2450 Meadowview Road will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, but the site does not allow pets. Personal storage will also be limited to what visitors can carry. 

The website noted that libraries and community centers will also be available during their normal hours. Staff recommend people call 311 to make a self-referral to be connected to an outreach worker if in need of assistance accessing weather respite. 

Additionally, Sacramento Regional Transit will provide free transportation to and from weather respite centers during the heat wave. People just need to screenshot or print this flyer and show it to the bus driver upon boarding or light rail staff upon request.

If you live outside of the city, visit the county’s 211 website to find extreme heat cooling centers near you.