High temperatures predicted; make a plan to stay cool

With temperatures in the 80s-90s from July 2-6, escape the heat at City libraries or senior centers, check up on vulnerable community-members, and stay hydrated.

Published: Last Updated:

Take steps to protect your health during the Excessive Heat Warning, with dangerously hot temperatures expected from 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 2 to 8:00 pm, Saturday, July 6.

Prepare your household, neighbors, and loved ones this week by:

• Planning to visit a City library, senior center, or other air-conditioned facility if it gets too hot

• Gathering supplies such as fans, curtains, and lightweight clothing to keep cool

• Buddying up with others to check in on vulnerable people in your network

Make sure to sign up for AC Alert for updates about this weather event and other emergencies.

Plan where to go if your home gets too hot

Visit City libraries and senior centers during normal operating hours (closed Thursday, July 4) if you need a safe, cool place to escape the heat. These sites have air conditioning:

Central Library, 2090 Kittredge Street

• Tuesday, July 2, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
• Wednesday, July 3, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Friday and Saturday, July 5-6, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue Avenue

• Tuesday and Wednesday, July 2-3, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
• Friday and Saturday, July 5-6, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Library, 1901 Russell Street

• Tuesday and Wednesday, July 2-3, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
• Friday and Saturday, July 5-6, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Avenue

• Wednesday, July 3, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Friday, July 5, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis Street

• Tuesday and Wednesday, July 2-3, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Buddy up with your friends, family, and neighbors

Take action to keep yourself and your community safe during the excessive heat warning:

• At least twice a day through Saturday, check up on people living alone, elders, and people with medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the heat

• Never leave kids or pets unattended in vehicles

• Limit strenuous outdoor activities and drink water to stay hydrated

• If you must work or spend time outside, take frequent breaks in the shade

Watch out for signs of heat illness, like nausea, dizziness, confusion, headache, and pale skin. Call for help or 9-1-1 if you see any of these symptoms in yourself or others.

Use basic supplies to keep cool

In hot temperatures, sweating cools your body down. In this process, you lose water, so plan to stay hydrated in these ways:

• Prepare ice and cold water to drink

• Eat foods with high water content, including most vegetables

• Use a damp towel to help keep your skin wet and stand in front of a fan to keep you cool

• Wear loose, light colored clothing which reflects heat

Keep cool without air conditioning

Keep your home cool by using windows, curtains, and fans to keep cool air moving around.

In the early morning, open your windows to let cool air inside. Once the cool air is inside, close the windows and use curtains-sheets, or reflective film will also work-to block sunlight and heat throughout the day.

Red Flag Weather not expected in Berkeley hills.

Although a Red Flag warning is in effect for the general East Bay Hills area, the forecast does not predict Red Flag conditions specifically in the Berkeley Hills.

The Berkeley Fire Department requested a forecast specifically for conditions in the Berkeley Hills. This National Weather Service "spot" forecast does not predict Red Flag Warning conditions for the Berkeley Hills. The National Weather Service Red Flag warning for the East Bay Hills is predicted from 11:00 pm, Monday, July 1 to 11:00 pm, Tuesday, July 2.

We will continue to monitor this weather event for any changes. Until then, it is always a good idea to be ready for wildfire evacuation and to check PG&E for any power outages in your area.

Links

• Heat Advisory (07-01-24)

• Cooling Centers:

Berkeley Public Libraries

City Senior Centers

• Sign your household up for AC Alert

• PG&E Power Outages

• Fire Preparedness Tools:

Wildfire evacuation

Wildfire readiness video series

Fire weather planning tool: a step-by-step guide to create your household fire weather plan

Vegetation management