Western Heat Wave Breaking Many Records, And Maybe Power Grid, Too

The worst September heat wave in western U.S. history
is threatening to overload the California electrical grid,
which might cause rolling blackouts.

What is likely the most intense September heat wave on record in much of the western United States is breaking a huge number of records.  

Plus, the fact that it's lasting so long might also break the power grid, especially in California. The longer a heat wave goes on, the worse it gets for the health of the people experiencing it, and the worse  it gets for the infrastructure.

This heat wave began for most of the region on August 30 and is expected to last until toward the end of this week. 

The heat is truly unprecedented for this late in the season. 

As the Washington Post Capital Weather Gang notes, all-time highs for the month of September are being set in a wide region. Among the cities that have so far reached records for September are Salt Lake City (103 degrees); Pocatello, Idaho (102 degrees); and Great Falls, Montana (102 degrees).

Even more remarkable, according to the Long Beach (California) Post News, the temperature Monday at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California reached 121 degrees, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Los Angeles County.  

Also, last Thursday, September 1, the temperature reached 127 in Death Valley, California. If this reading is verified, it would become the hottest temperature recorded anywhere on Earth in September. 

On Monday, Livermore, California reached 116 degrees, its hottest temperature for any date on record. Sacramento tied its all time record high Monday, reaching 114 degrees. That record could be again tied or bested today as the predicted high in Sacramento is 114 or 115 degrees. 

Because of the widespread and persistent heat, California officials declared a power grid emergency Monday, as Bloomberg reported. Use of electricity in California was reaching its highest level since at least 2017.

If homes and businesses don't step up conservation even further than they have in recent days, there's the possibility of rolling blackouts. 

This situation could easily become worse today as students head back to school and businesses reopen after the Labor Day holiday weekend. 

We often hear in heat waves that threaten electrical supplies that people should not do laundry, run major appliances and turn down air conditioning between 4 and 9 p.m. when electrical use is highest.  That's the advice now being given in California.  But here's a sign of the times: Californians are also  asked not to charge their electric vehicles in the late afternoon and evening. 

The extreme heat and ultra-dry conditions have also set off numerous wildfires in California and Oregon. A blaze that started as a lumber mill fire roared through neighborhoods in the town of Weed, California, killing at least two people.

Another fire broke out around the city of Hemet, California, in Riverside County, California, killing an additional two people, 

Fires are also burning in Los Angeles County and the wildfires are expected to worsen as the heat wave drags on. 

The heat is not expected to break until this upcoming weekend.

NEW ENGLAND

Meanwhile, Interstate 95 in Providence, Rhode Island was 
shut down by flash flooding on Monday. 

Back home here Vermont, temperatures are expected to remain above normal through mid-month, despite the cool weather in northern Vermont Sunday and statewide Monday and today. However, record high temperatures are not expected, at least for now. 

Southern Vermont is receiving heavy rain, which is denting a drought there. Up to three inches of rain is forecast for some towns in the southernmost two counties. 

However, northern Vermont has been stuck since Sunday with just fog, drizzle and light showers. That makes this murky and a bit depressing, but we're not receiving the wetting we need. 

Prospects are dim for any rain in northern Vermont at least through the weekend. Latest trends in forecasting models seem to want to postpone rain further out until sometime next week.

Southern New England, also in a drought, had too much rain in too short a time Monday.  The area around Providence, Rhode Island saw serious flash flooding. Parts of super busy Interstate 95 were shut down in both directions due to high water. It has since reopened.

Up to nine inches for rain was reported in Cranston, Rhode Island.  A Providence building collapsed under the onslaught of rain, and at least one dorm at Brown University was flooded. 

The flood risk continues in southern New England today.