A long, intense wave of excessive heat is enveloping much of the Western United States for the next week.
Across California, temperatures are expected to be more than 10 degrees above normal, warns the organization that manages the flow of much of the state’s electricity.
The California Independent System Operator expects demand on Labor Day to reach its highest so far this year. The agency will ask Californians to take energy conservations steps. Consumers are urged to reduce energy use from 4-9 p.m., when the system is most stressed because demand for electricity remains high and there is less solar energy available.
Lowering the strain on the grid will help hold off more drastic measures, including the possibility of rotating blackouts.
The National Weather Service says, “The region should anticipate a prolonged and possibly record breaking heat wave.” Heat watches and advisories stretch from Arizona to Washington state.
Recommendations to save electricity
- Set your air conditioning to 78 degrees or higher.
- Keep blinds and drapes closed.
- Only wash your clothes or dishes in the early morning or late evening.
- Turn off unnecessary lights.
- Unplug appliances that drain power while they’re unused, like microwaves and phone chargers.
Many inland areas of California will experience temperatures over 100 degrees through Thursday and in the 90s the following week.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Kathryn Emery of Children’s Hospital Colorado and Jan Null of San Francisco State University, noheatstroke.org, National Weather Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention