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The County of San Mateo has added a translation feature developed by Google Translate to assist web visitors in understanding information on this website in a variety of foreign languages. Please be aware that Google Translate, a free third party service which the County does not control, provides automated computer translations that may not give you an exact translation. The County cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations through Google Translate so translations should not be considered exact and only used as a rough guide. Anyone relying on information obtained from Google Translate does so at his or her own risk. The County disclaims and will not accept any liability for damages or losses of any kind caused by the use of the Google Translate feature.

multiple power lines during bright orange sunset portrays extreme heat from climate change even for evening temperatures
extreme heat

Extreme Heat

Rising Temperatures & Heat

Nationwide, extreme heat is one of the deadliest climate related hazards and one that already affects San Mateo County. High heat days and heat waves are experienced more frequently in recent years, including extraordinary heat in the Summer of 2020 and Fall of 2022, in addition to years of drought conditions. This may be even more impactful because San Mateo County has one of the lowest percentages of homes with air conditioning units in California, according to the Home for All and Climate Ready SMC joint Housing and Climate Readiness in San Mateo County Toolkit (PDF).

Impacts

Heat Impacts on Health and Infrastructure

As average temperatures rise, projections for San Mateo County anticipate an increase in the frequency and duration of extreme heat events due to climate change. These events may impact public health, vulnerable communities, and the viability of transportation networks.

infographic of extreme heat impacts on health and infrastructure

Populations anticipated to have increased vulnerability include: older adults, infants & children, pregnant persons, individuals with disabilities, people without housing, outdoor & manual workers, athletes

Power shutoffs due to increased energy demand

Heat stress
Dehydration
Exhaustion
Heat strokes

Aggravated allergies resulting from longer allergy seasons

Reduced productivity & mental health issues

Disruption of
public transportation services

Exacerbation of preexisting conditions
Respiratory & cardiovascular disease

The County of San Mateo Sustainability Department partnered with Stanford Future Bay Initiative and City Systems to better understand the implications of future climate conditions on heat projections and social vulnerability through the San Mateo County Extreme Heat Dashboard. The following map shows projections for average number of high heat days (above 85°F), by jurisdiction over the near-term (2020-2029) and long-term (2016-2045). Modeling suggests the average number of high heat days will increase for many jurisdictions with greatest impacts expected in Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, Redwood City, San Carlos, and Woodside. Extreme heat has disproportionate impacts on populations including older adults, children, people who do not live or work in climate-controlled conditions, who do not have personal vehicles, or who have pre-existing medical conditions.

Learn more through the Climate Ready SMC Extreme Heat and Public Health Factsheet (PDF).

Average annual high heat days >85° in San Mateo County

Possible Adaptation Strategies

Climate Ready SMC worked with cross-sector and community leaders to identify adaptation strategies to extreme heat, including tree planting and urban forestry, updated building codes, cooling centers and multilingual communication. Learn more through the Climate Ready SMC Extreme Heat and Public Health Factsheet (PDF).

Related to transportation, adaptation strategies included heat sensors for rail lines, shading for transit stations, increased service frequency during high heat, and increased funding for transit and road maintenance. Learn more through the Climate Ready SMC Extreme Heat and Transportation Factsheet (PDF).

The Extreme Heat Task Force was convened by the SMC Sustainability Department and Get Healthy San Mateo County to identify gaps and opportunities to address extreme heat, better understand the intersection of heat impacts and inequities, and identify adaptation strategies. The Task Force produced webinars on responding to Heat and Concurrent Hazards (2020) and the Benefits of Tree Canopy (2021).

Webinars

webinar Unlocking the Multiple Benefits of Tree Canopy

Unlocking the Multiple Benefits of Tree Canopy: Leveraging Data, Partnerships & Policy

June 24, 2021

Highlights:

  • Stanford’s tree dashboard is presented as a tool to simplify public decision-making and target high needs neighborhoods;
  • Presenter points:
    • Tree canopy in historically under-invested communities increases heat and health resilience.
    • Rapid cross-sectoral partnerships and investments are needed to meet these challenges.
Watch on YouTube
Webinar: Extreme Heat and Concurrent Hazards

Extreme Heat and Concurrent Hazards

November 10, 2020

The purpose of the webinar was to consider 2020’s unprecedented challenges and opportunities to address heat in the context of multiple hazards and climate impacts.

Highlights:

  • Climate change-related extreme heat modeling – SMC Sustainability Department
  • High Heat Protocols and Roles in San Mateo County – SMC Office of Emergency Services
  • High Heat Response and Resilience Efforts – SMC Health
  • Redwood City Protocol and Heat Response
  • North Fair Oaks Heat Community Resilience Effort
Watch on YouTube
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