Locals Asked to Reduce Energy Use Thursday to Prevent Brownouts as Statewide Flex Alert is Called

Pasadenans are being asked to conserve energy Thursday afternoon and night as high temperatures and low humidity levels led the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to issue a statewide Flex Alert.

The power grid operator predicts higher than normal electrical demand, peaking between 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday.

The alert urges residents to conserve energy wherever possible to reduce strain on the grid and prevent possible rolling blackouts.

While Pasadena enjoys the advantage of having its own power plant, the Glenarm Repowering Plant, owned and operated by the Pasadena Water and Power Department, that does not guarantee local service will be uninterrupted, according to the utility.

Today’s high temperature is expected to reach 97 in Pasadena. A National Weather Service heat advisory remains in effect until Friday night.

“Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur,” warned an NWS statement. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”

The NWS added that children, seniors and pets must never be left in vehicles parked in the heat, even with windows open, as interior vehicle temperatures can quickly turn lethal.

A fire weather watch was added Thursday to the NWS heat advisory, which means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur.

The fire weather watch will be in effect from late Thursday evening through Friday afternoon in the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest amid high temperatures, humidity levels as low as 6% and the possibility of Santa Ana winds.

Here is Pasadena’s forecast:

Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northeast after midnight.

Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north northeast in the evening.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

Sunday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Monday: Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 84.

Monday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Tuesday: Patchy fog. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 84.

Tuesday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Wednesday: Patchy fog. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 80.