NorCal Heat Returns: Near‑100°F Temps Ahead This Week

After a brief Labor Day lull that kept highs around a comfortable 90°F, Northern California is about to feel the real summer heat again. By Thursday, afternoon temperatures are expected to crest close to 100°F, turning the region into a true heat‑cradle for a couple of days.

The rising mercury isn’t coming alone. Moisture left behind by the distant Tropical Storm Maria will slip over the area, nudging humidity upward and making the air feel noticeably muggy, especially on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

Because of the combination of high heat and added moisture, Thursday has been labeled a KCRA 3 Weather Impact Day – meaning you might want to keep the windows up, stay hydrated, and consider dialing down any strenuous outdoor activities.

Good news arrives early next week, though. A low‑pressure system riding in from the north will usher in a refreshing onshore breeze, dropping temperatures by 10‑15 degrees on Friday and keeping the weekend comfortably cooler. Expect sunshine to dominate, with breezy conditions sweeping the Sierra and the Central Valley alike.

For the foothills, the next few afternoons will feel hot and a bit sticky, while mornings stay warmer than what we’ve grown used to this season. The Sierra could see a few scattered showers Wednesday, adding a brief, cloud‑covered intermission to the otherwise clear skies.

All told, mid‑September should settle back toward normal for most of NorCal, but these short‑lived spikes remind us that summer isn’t quite done with us yet.