Heat Wave Forecast Labor Day Weekend In Benicia

BENICIA, CA — Planning outdoor festivities this Labor Day weekend? Depending on where you live in the Bay Area, you might want to rethink those plans, as the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch.

The Bay Area heat watch is in place from 11 a.m. Saturday to 9 p.m. Monday, while an excessive heat watch that applies to the Carquinez Strait and Delta is in place from 11 a.m. Saturday until 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the NWS.

"Widespread triple-digit, record heat is possible this Labor Day weekend [and] into early next week for the Central Valley, foothills, and Delta due to strong high pressure over Northern California," according to the NWS Sacramento. "There is the potential for moderate to very high heat risk during this time, which could impact the general population, especially those spending an extended time outdoors. Any localized dense smoke may impact these temperatures."

Dangerously hot conditions are likely, with afternoon highs of 100 to 110 degrees for the Valley, 95 to 105 for the foothills, and 75 to 100 for the mountains.

In Benicia, a high temperature near 98 degrees is forecast both Saturday and Sunday, followed by a high around 96 on Labor Day.

Officials warn that residents should be wary of heat exhaustion or heat stroke after spending prolonged time outdoors. People are especially vulnerable if they must spend a lot of time outside, don't have air conditioning, are elderly, are a young child or have chronic ailments, the NWS wrote.

Call 911 and immediately move to the shade if you are experiencing a heat-related illness.

Drink lots of water, stay out of the sun and stay in air conditioning, the NWS said. Also keep an eye on family and neighbors.

Patch staffer Courtney Teague contributed to this report.