In addition to smiling faces from teachers, students returning to school this week will also be welcomed back to school with an Excessive Heat Watch from the National Weather Service.

As of 12:00 noon Wednesday, it was already 84° F at Hacienda School Weather Station!

Near record heat expected Thursday across the East and South Bay.

Strong high pressure and light offshore winds will bring significant warming to the greater San Francisco Bay region today into Thursday. Temperatures will warm to several degrees above normal today with 80s near the coast and readings well into the 90s inland. By Thursday record or near record heat will be possible across most of the region. In particular the populated areas of the East and South Bay will experience some of the hottest temperatures on Thursday afternoon.

… Very warm temperatures will develop across inland areas today. Hot temperatures are forecast for Thursday … Especially in the East Bay and South Bay valleys. High temperatures on Thursday across inland areas will range from 97 to 107. Although the hottest temperatures are expected inland … warm weather will develop near the ocean as well where 80s will be common and even a few lower 90s are likely.

Significant cooling will not occur for inland areas until Saturday with some cooling near the coast and bays by Friday afternoon.

An excessive heat watch means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids … Stay in an air-conditioned room … Stay out of the sun … And check up on relatives and neighbors.