Phase
1 - Public education - the beginning of the summer
Phase
2 - Increased Readiness - NWS issuance of a "Heat
Outlook". The NWS Sacramento Bureau will issue
a "heat
outlook" as part of a "special weather statement" with
the terminology "heat outlook" in the title. It
will be issued 2-7 days prior to a heat warning. The
heat outlook will mean that there are "solid indications
that perilous heat conditions are possible." This
phase should be considered, as somewhat of a luxury as there
is no guarantee the
NWS will be able to issue a “heat outlook” prior
to issuing a heat watch or warning.
Phase 3 - NWS issuance
of a "Heat Watch". The
NWS Sacramento Bureau will issue a "heat watch" as
part of the "special weather statement". It
will be issued 48 hours in advance of a heat warning. An
additional trigger for Phase 3 activation is a "special
weather statement" indicating
two or more consecutive days where the daytime heat index
is expected to reach 110F for two or more hours OR the
nighttime minimum low
heat index is 75F or higher over at least 25% of the
advised area.
Phase
4 - NWS issuance of a "Heat Warning".
At least two (2) consecutive days are expected
with heat
indices at or above 110°F
during the day and above 75°F at night over at
least 25% of the warned area (for us the "Delta
Influenced Inland Valleys).
Other Phase Criteria. There are additional activation
triggers in the plan that offer the flexibility to respond
based on
events within the County such as increased EMS calls and Ag
concerns
that don't require NWS involvement.