Here Comes The Heat, Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek is no stranger to high temperatures in the summer, but we usually have to wait until July or so for things to really heat up.

Not this year. The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures in the upper 90s later this week.

What will you do to cool off?

While the Bay Area in general is expected to see record highs, as always, it is the inland areas such as Contra Costa County that will be the hottest spots, with highs in the 80s and 90s.

In the North Bay, San Rafael is expected to break its 1957 record of 89 degrees for this date, weather service .

Temperatures are expected to get even toastier later in the week, Mark Strudley of the National Weather Service said.

The hot weather brings with it the risk of wildfires, especially in hilly areas in the East Bay, North Bay and in the Santa Cruz Mountains, he said.

"It is dry and has been breezy," he said.

"Strong gusty winds, combined with hot weather, may present a concern," he said.
          
A wind advisory will be issued at 5 p.m. today for the North Bay and East Bay hills, with where winds are expected to reach 35 mph.

San Francisco and coastal areas, while cooler, will also feel the heat.

"It will be warmer than people are used to in San Francisco," Strudley said.
          
 He said higher temperatures should arrive Thursday and Friday.

Bay City News contributed to this story.