Heat wave in California: Blackouts possible as excessive heat warnings continue
A historic heat wave is affecting the West, breaking all-time, monthly and daily records and putting the California electricity grid to test. The heat is relentless, potentially peaking Tuesday but sticking around straight through the upcoming weekend. The big picture: The immediate cause of the heat wave is an unusually strong area of high pressure, or heat dome, that is parked over the western U.S., causing air to sink and dry out, stifling any widespread rainfall.
Related articles:
- San Francisco Chronicle: Is the end of the California heat wave anywhere in sight?
- Reuters: California avoids power outages, conservation still needed in heat wave
- Washington Post: Historic, unforgiving Western heat wave is peaking and crushing records
- NPR: California and the West broil in record-setting heat wave
- Ventura County Star: Heat wave to persist through Friday; excessive heat warning extended for Ventura County
- San Francisco Chronicle: Northern California heat wave may go down as worst in history
- Mendocino Voice: Ukiah hits all-time high temp of 117; six cooling stations open in Mendocino County
- Engineering News-Record: California Extends Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Operations Until 2030 to Boost Grid Reliability