San Francisco and the Bay Area experienced a major heat wave this week, with multiple record-breaking temperatures. The unusual March heatwave started on Monday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory.
On Friday, March 20, San Francisco reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit, officially the highest recorded temperature the city has ever reached in March. This broke the previous record set in 1874. The NWS also recorded several daily records on March 17 and 19, both at 86 degrees.
The record-breaking temperatures occurred throughout the Bay Area, with monthly highs in Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Richmond, Livermore, SFO Airport, Redwood City, Oakland Museum, and the Salinas Airport. The Salinas airport also had the highest temperature of the week, reaching 94 degrees.
San Francisco’s warm months are typically in the fall, particularly in September and October after a foggy, cold summer. The highest temperature ever recorded in San Francisco was 106, in September 2017.
While the heat wave is over, San Francisco can still look forward to sunny, warm temperatures into next week. The highs for Monday through Friday are in the low to mid-70s, with mostly sunny days.
Many buildings and homes in San Francisco are not equipped with air conditioning, given the generally mild temperatures, but during major heat waves, it can be difficult to find ways to escape the heat. Many people flock to the beaches, which are often cooler due to the ocean breeze. Another option is to check out a public library for a cool space. Many San Francisco public libraries have air conditioning, and they are the perfect free spaces to cool off on a rare hot day.
You can find current weather updates at the NWS website.
