Cal ISO issues Flex Alert for Wednesday ahead of NorCal heat wave

PG&E workers work to repair power lines in the Coffey Park neighborhood following the damage caused by the Tubbs Fire on October 13, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California.
PG&E workers work to repair power lines in the Coffey Park neighborhood following the damage caused by the Tubbs Fire on October 13, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Photo credit Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

California's power grid regulator is asking state residents to conserve power on Wednesday afternoon and night.

California ISO on Tuesday issued a statewide Flex Alert from 4 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday because of "heat and tight supply conditions" as heat settles into Northern California.

"With higher than normal temperatures in the forecast for parts of interior Northern California, the power grid operator is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use.," Cal ISO said in a statement. "The increase can make electricity supplies tight and cause strain on our power grid."

Temeperatures in the East Bay on Wednesday are expected to reach the mid-to-upper 90s, with a high of 98 degrees in Antioch, according to KPIX's Brian Hackney. The South Bay, meanwhile, is projected to experience temperatures in the 80s and 90s, while the North Bay is set to have temperatures nearing 90 degrees.

Californians have become all too familiar with Flex Alerts this summer. State residents have been asked to turn of unnecessary lights, avoid using major appliances and keep their thermostats no lower than 78 degrees multiple times over the last two months.

A heat wave prompted alerts in June, as did higher temperatures and Oregon's Bootleg Fire earlier this month.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images