North Coast summer starts to sizzle

A two-day heat wave forecast to bring triple-digit temperatures to some inland areas of the North Coast arrives today, but the scorching heat should let up before the July 4 weekend. Sonoma County residents should prepare to keep themselves, their children and pets cool.

Daytime highs are expected to reach the 90s in Santa Rosa and as high as 104 degrees in Cloverdale, Sonoma County’s heat capital, by Wednesday. That’s up to 12 degrees hotter than average for this time of year, National Weather Service meteorologist Roger Gass said.

“We will be approaching record highs on Tuesday and Wednesday for much of the North Bay valley,” Gass said.

The hottest time of day is between 4 and 6 p.m. Night will bring relief with temperatures dropping to the 50s.

The record highs were 100 degrees on June 30, 1999, and 97 degrees on July 1, 2013, at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, according to Gass. The National Weather Service does not track record temperatures for cities or towns in the county.

Cloverdale Memorial Pool manager Josh Cantu said they’re prepared to call in extra lifeguards if the hot weather brings a boost to the regular weekday crowds. Wednesdays are already packed because admission is only $1, discounted from the regular $4 adult and $3 children entrance fees. He advised people to bring cash and wide-brimmed hats.

“We were slammed last Wednesday, when it was also hot,” Cantu said. “We don’t have enough umbrellas. People were crowding under the shade of trees.”

The heat and approaching holiday are expected to bring extra crowds to Russian River beaches this week, said Meda Freeman, spokeswoman for Sonoma County Regional Parks. A roving lifeguard patrol will be visiting beaches throughout the week and fitting children with free loaner life vests, she said.

“River parking lots fill up quickly, so if you’re heading to the beach, plan to get there early,” she said.

Monday afternoon, two children ages 3 and 7 were nearly swept away by the current at Monte Rio Beach, even though the water was just a few feet deep, Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman said. Bystanders grabbed the children before they were swept downstream, he said.

Baxman urged parents to put flotation vests on children who enter the river because the current can be surprisingly strong in shallow water.

A high-pressure ridge is responsible for the mini heat wave and is causing the clouds to burn off earlier in the day, reducing the “June gloom” effect that has brought many cloudy mornings over the last two months. With the clouds burning off earlier, the sun will have “its maximum influence,” meteorologist Bob Benjamin said.

Relief from the heat can be found at the coast, where the sea breeze will keep temperatures in the 60s during the day.

Elderly people, pregnant women, children and people with chronic diseases are especially susceptible to heat and should take steps to remain cool, said Karen Holbrook, deputy health officer for Sonoma County.

“Go to the library, a mall or community center” Holbrook said. “Electric fans are not the best. AC is better.”

Sonoma County Animal Services staff urged people to leave dogs at home with access to plenty of water and, if outside, shade, spokesman James Dress said. Animal control officers field many calls about dogs left in cars or tethered outside in the sun, which on hot days especially are considered emergency situations.

“Even if it’s only 75 degrees outside, temperatures in the car can get to 120 degrees,” Dress said.

Help dogs stay cool by putting a wet towel around the neck and cooling paws in water, he said.

By Saturday’s July 4 holiday, the afternoons should experience more typical and more comfortable temperatures in the low 80s, while still approaching ?100 degrees in Cloverdale, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

For the next two days, local emergency officials urged people to take precautions to keep themselves and those they care for safe from heat-related problems.

Zachary Hamill, emergency coordinator for Sonoma County Fire and Emergency Services, offered the following tips:

Drink plenty of water.

Wear loose-fitting clothing.

Avoid the sun.

Avoid drinking alcohol, soda and other beverages that can be dehydrating.

Never leave children or pets in vehicles.

Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest times of the day.

Brittany McKannay with PG&E said that the utility company advises people take precautionary measures to keep their homes cool:

Set the thermostat to 75-78 degrees when at home (health permitting), and 85 degrees when away for more than a few hours.

Avoid using the oven on hot days.

Clear the area around air conditioners to provide the best ventilation.

Let clothes air dry.

Turn off the lights.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com.