On October 2, 2026, the City of Palo Alto announced a National Weather Service heat advisory through Thursday, October 8, with weekend highs in the upper 80s to low 100s and other days in the 80s to upper 90s. Palo Alto’s five public libraries served as cooling centers during normal hours. ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto answers calls 24/7 at 650-460-3483.
What the City announced
The City of Palo Alto published a hot weather notice on October 2, 2026. The National Weather Service heat advisory ran through Thursday, October 8, and Saturday and Sunday were forecast to be the hottest days, with highs in the upper 80s to low 100s. Weekdays were forecast in the 80s to upper 90s. The City also flagged elevated fire weather in higher-elevation areas.
Cooling centers in Palo Alto
The City designates its libraries as cooling centers during normal business hours.
| Cooling center | Address | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Children’s Library | 1278 Harriet St | 94301 |
| College Terrace Library | 2300 Wellesley St | 94306 |
| Downtown Library | 270 Forest Ave | 94301 |
| Mitchell Park Library | 3700 Middlefield Rd | 94303 |
| Rinconada Library | 1213 Newell Rd | 94303 |
Rinconada Pool also posted public swim hours for the advisory.
Why an October heat wave catches homes off guard
Fall heat is common on the Peninsula, but many systems have not run hard since summer. Filters are dusty, condensate drains have dried and clogged, and capacitors that weakened in August finally fail. Homes that rely on window units or no air conditioning at all, which includes many older homes and Eichlers, heat up fast when overnight lows stay warm.
If your AC stops cooling
- Check the thermostat mode and batteries, then the breaker for the indoor and outdoor units
- Replace a dirty filter; a clogged filter can freeze the coil
- If the indoor coil or line is iced, turn cooling off and run the fan until it thaws
- Close blinds on sun-facing windows and keep everyone in the coolest room
- Call ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto at 650-460-3483, open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Read our full guide to Palo Alto’s 2026 heat waves, see AC repair in Palo Alto or 24/7 emergency HVAC service.
Sources
Published by the ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto team. Event date: .