Put away those sweaters — the heat is coming and it plans to stick around awhile.

While Friday will be a bit cooler than today is, “as we head into the weekend, that’s when things heat up again,” said Brayden Murdock, meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office.

Temperatures could reach 78 degrees on Saturday in Oakland, he said, and into the mid-80s on Sunday throughout much of the East Bay hills and in Oakland, Richmond, Fremont, and some nearby areas. On Monday, temperatures are expected to tick up yet again, possibly into the 90s. 

“Tuesday is setting up to be the warmest day of the forecast,” Murdock said. “There’s not going to be a whole lot of ways to escape heat on Tuesday.” 

Wednesday will see the start of a gradual cooldown. 

High pressure will cut off winds over the coming days, allowing temperatures to rise, Murdock explained. 

These conditions are unusual in mid-March; spring doesn’t technically start for another week.

“In lots of places, it’s the first time you’re going to see 80s, much less 90s, this time of year,” Murdock said. “It’s going to affect people who are sensitive to heat.”

How to stay cool

An interactive map from the National Weather Service shows the East Bay remaining at “minor” and “moderate” levels for risk of heat-related health impacts throughout the next week. These conditions mainly affect people who are sensitive to heat or exposed to it for a long period of time. 

The NWS recommends staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest time of the day, and using air conditioning or fans and leaving windows open at night.

Parts of Southern California will move into “major” heat risk territory early next week.

The city of Oakland has protocols for opening cooling centers on very hot days, but it’s unlikely they’ll be triggered this month. The temperature has to reach 100 degrees, or be forecasted to reach 95 for two consecutive days, for the city to open respite sites.

In the East Bay, the sheer duration of the heat wave, rather than scorching temperatures, might pose the greatest challenge: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Murdock said.

“Have a plan to get out of the heat,” he advised. But maybe get more creative than a beach day. 

Beaches can get overcrowded during hot stretches, which can obstruct water rescues, Murdock said. People also tend to forget that our bay and ocean water remain cold even during these initial warm-weather days: “You can still get cold water shock.” 

Also, try to avoid starting a fire, he said. While the week won’t see real fire weather, the dry conditions still pose a risk.

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