East Bay braces for multi-day heat wave with triple-digit temps, air quality in 'unhealthy' range

ByRyan Curry, Tim Johns KGO logo
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
East Bay braces for multi-day heat wave, 'unhealthy' air
A Heat Advisory and Spare the Air Alert are in effect in the Bay Area as temperatures rise with air quality reaching the "unhealthy" range.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- Swimmers, joggers and runner were out early Tuesday at Heather Farms Park, getting their exercise in before hot temperature arrive in the afternoon.



"Today is a little warmer," said Walnut Creek resident Marjan Afsarifad. "It is already warmer, but that is why we started at 7 o'clock, because it is nice now."



FORECAST: Dangerous heat arrives inland today


A Heat Advisory and Spare the Air Aert are in effect as temperatures are expected to rise above 100, with air quality reaching the "unhealthy" range.



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Officials advise people in the East Bay to limit outdoor activity on days like Tuesday. That is why many went to the park before noon.



"It is cooler and cleaner air and quieter," Afsarifad said. "This way you just get a better start to your day."



The same goes for a pickleball class at the park. Coach Bob Bruening moves his classes up a few hours to avoid those hot temperatures.



MORE: Extreme heat dangers and safety tips: What you need to know


"In the winter we usually start around 10, but during the summer it is early," he said. "It doesn't get that hot, but it is a good activity. You don't run around as much, you don't chase balls a much. Very social game too."



His message to his class is one that can apply to everyone:



"Hydrate," he said. "Classic hydration. And we stop a little bit in between and talk about some of the techniques we are working on. There is a break between some of the drills."



With large portions of the Bay Area coming under a heat advisory Tuesday, many people, like Kylie Soe and her family, were doing what they could to stay cool.



"I normally stay in. I stay in and read with the AC. And then I go to the pool," said San Ramon resident, Kylie Soe.


At CREAM ice cream shop in Walnut Creek, Sean McCarney says he was expecting a busy night.



"Especially because it is hot, a lot of people like to DoorDash their ice cream and stuff like that," he said.



And while some say they enjoyed the high temperatures:



"I honestly love it today because I was in San Francisco for like a month," said Brianna Richardson.



Others were not as willing to venture outside in the East Bay.



RELATED: Flex Alert issued for Bay Area for Wednesday due to excessive heat, high energy demand



The Lafayette Reservoir was nearly empty, with no one out on the water and only a few people walking along the trails.



It was similarly slow at several places in downtown Walnut Creek too.



"I've been into a bunch of stores today, there's like nobody out," Richardson said.



The outdoor seating area of Torsap Thai Kitchen was mainly vacant.



The restaurant's manager telling us the extreme heat often times has a negative impact on their business.



"Usually today is the happy hour all day, and then we got slower on the 105 today," said Nantika Julakasilp.



And with the current heat wave expected to last another couple of days, several Easy Bay residents say they're looking forward to the fall.



"Definitely a little cooler. It's a little too hot for me right now," said Kate Hong.



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