Excessive Heat — Southern Sacramento Valley, California

2020-08-14 to 2020-08-20 · Southern Sacramento Valley, California

Event narrative

Emergency manager confirmed a heat related death. The deceased was a transient male that was found down at a light rail station on August 14. He was taken to a local hospital, but never recovered and died on September 2. The Coroner determined the cause of death to be distributive shock due to heat stroke due to methamphetamine overdose. The high temperature for August 14, 2020 is 106 degrees.

Wider weather episode

A prolonged and significant heat wave occurred in mid August due to high pressure parked over California. High temperatures soared between 100 to 115 degrees for much of the Valley and lower elevation foothills, while higher elevation areas in the mountains range from the mid 80s to low 100s. Overnight lows were oppressive during this time frame as well, with Valley and foothill locations holding in the 70s to low 80s. Many emergency room visits were recorded in the Sacramento area in addition to 3 confirmed heat related deaths. One out of these deaths also involved drug use.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 918810. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.