San Francisco residents faced an unusually hot September day Wednesday as temperatures climbed well above what the city typically experiences, prompting extra precautions at a community event in Chinatown.
The heat was especially noticeable for people spending the afternoon outdoors. By evening, temperatures were still warm enough to make cooling down difficult for residents who are more accustomed to San Francisco’s chilly nights and strong marine breeze.
The National Weather Service had a heat advisory in effect for San Francisco through Thursday evening. Downtown temperatures reached the upper 80s Wednesday, while some areas around the city and Bay Area experienced even warmer conditions. Cooler weather was expected to return Thursday as the marine influence strengthened.
Chinatown event takes extra steps to keep people cool
The unusual heat arrived as Chinatown hosted its 12th annual Chinatown Night Out on Wednesday evening.
The free community gathering took place at Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground Basketball Court, 830 Sacramento Street. The event included community resource booths, cultural performances, family activities, giveaways, safety information and free boxed meals while supplies lasted.
With temperatures still high, organizers took steps to make the evening more comfortable for attendees. Tents provided shade, while water was available for people waiting in line for meals.
Many of those attending were older residents, making hydration and access to shade particularly important during the heat.
For people who had spent the afternoon working or walking through downtown, the temperature was difficult to ignore.
Anna Jeung of Daly City said she spent much of the day reminding people around her to drink water. She said walking through the city felt dramatically different from the usual San Francisco experience, with the heat becoming uncomfortable almost immediately.
Public transportation also offered some relief. Jeung said the air conditioning on a crowded Muni bus was welcome after being outside in the heat.
City officials monitor conditions
District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter attended the Chinatown event as city agencies continued to respond to the unusual weather.
Sauter said San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management had activated an emergency heat warning, putting response teams on alert. If the heat continued or conditions worsened, the city could consider additional measures, including cooling centers.
The heat also prompted other local agencies to make adjustments. San Francisco Unified School District said it limited outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day and advised students and staff to drink plenty of fluids, seek shade and take breaks when feeling overheated.
A different kind of San Francisco evening
For residents without air conditioning, finding ways to stay comfortable became part of the day’s routine.
Some people chose to remain outside in shaded areas, play mahjong or look for cold treats. One San Francisco resident, Jacky Guan, summed up the approach simply: stay hydrated and get more ice cream.
The heat was also noticeable after sunset. Instead of the quick evening cooldown many San Franciscans expect, temperatures remained elevated into the night.
The National Weather Service forecast an overnight low around 65 degrees in San Francisco following Wednesday’s heat, with temperatures expected to fall considerably Thursday.
For longtime residents, the unusual conditions served as another reminder that September can occasionally bring a sharp change in San Francisco’s normally mild weather.
Jeung said residents often expect warmer conditions around Labor Day and rely on weather forecasts to prepare.
For now, the city is expected to begin cooling as Thursday progresses, but the heat advisory remains in place through Thursday evening.
