In Rare Heat Wave, San Francisco, Other Major California Cities Are Experiencing Extreme Heat Anomalies
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08003605/11767276-150x150.jpgAs the Southeast deals with Hurricane Helene fallout, the West Coast is struggling with its own extreme weather event: a brutal, unprecedented October heat wave. While the California coast is one of the coolest regions in the country, warm, offshore winds blowing into the Bay Area pushed temperatures in San Francisco to a high of 94°F on Tuesday. The Bay Area heat wave is also abutting a separate heat wave phenomenon affecting parts of Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada, blanketing the Southwest in high, dangerous heat.
Worried about car theft? EVs Don’t Get Stolen
High electric bill? The 25 Cities That Pay The Most for Electricity
An excessive heat warning is the most severe heat alert issued by the National Weather Service, and generally indicates that the maximum heat index will be 105°F or higher for at least two days. There are currently 44 counties under excessive heat warning, representing 13.9% of the U.S. population. A closer look at just how high current temperatures in these affected regions are relative to normal reveals which cities are experiencing the worst heat waves right now.
To determine the major cities experiencing the worst heat waves right now, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed observed and historical temperature data from the NOAA. Cities under excessive heat warnings as of October 2, 2024 with at least 120,000 residents were ranked based on the difference between maximum temperatures observed on September 30, 2024 from average maximum temperature normal for October 1991 to 2020. Data was aggregated from the grid to the city level using spatial boundary definitions from the U.S. Census Bureau. Supplemental data on maximum heat index forecasts for October 4 to 6 are from the Weather Prediction Center of the NOAA and were aggregated to the city level using Voronoi tessellation. Population data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and is for 2022.
25. Los Angeles, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +9.1°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 92.1°F (Oct. 6)
- Total population: 3,881,041
24. Corona, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +9.2°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 94.5°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 158,346
23. Moreno Valley, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +9.4°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 95.7°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 209,578
22. Rancho Cucamonga, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +9.7°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 94.5°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 174,696
21. Peoria, AZ
- Current temperature anomaly: +11.5°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 101.1°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 191,292
20. Chandler, AZ
- Current temperature anomaly: +11.5°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 100.9°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 275,618
19. Glendale, AZ
- Current temperature anomaly: +12.3°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 101.1°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 248,083
18. Mesa, AZ
- Current temperature anomaly: +12.4°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 100.6°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 503,390
17. Phoenix, AZ
- Current temperature anomaly: +12.5°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 101.5°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 1,609,456
16. Gilbert, AZ
- Current temperature anomaly: +12.5°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 100.9°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 267,267
15. Santa Clarita, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +12.8°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 92.1°F (Oct. 6)
- Total population: 225,850
14. Lancaster, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +13.1°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 94.8°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 171,465
13. San Francisco, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +13.5°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 84.9°F (Oct. 5)
- Total population: 851,036
12. Santa Rosa, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +14.1°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 87.7°F (Oct. 6)
- Total population: 178,221
11. Scottsdale, AZ
- Current temperature anomaly: +14.1°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 100.6°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 240,537
10. Palmdale, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +14.2°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 93.9°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 166,895
9. San Jose, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +14.3°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 90.4°F (Oct. 5)
- Total population: 1,001,176
8. Concord, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +14.4°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 90.3°F (Oct. 6)
- Total population: 125,007
7. Santa Clara, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +14.5°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 90.4°F (Oct. 5)
- Total population: 128,058
6. Henderson, NV
- Current temperature anomaly: +15.0°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 96.0°F (Oct. 4)
- Total population: 318,063
5. Sunnyvale, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +15.8°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 90.4°F (Oct. 5)
- Total population: 154,573
4. Fremont, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +15.8°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 88.4°F (Oct. 5)
- Total population: 228,795
3. Oakland, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +18.3°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 84.9°F (Oct. 5)
- Total population: 437,825
2. Berkeley, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +18.5°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 84.9°F (Oct. 5)
- Total population: 121,385
1. Salinas, CA
- Current temperature anomaly: +20.4°F from October normals
- Weekend heat index forecast maximum: 88.6°F (Oct. 5)
- Total population: 162,783
Sponsor
Find a Vetted Financial Advisor
- Finding a fiduciary financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area in 5 minutes.
- Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. Get on the path toward achieving your financial goals!