First: If you want to see some real heat this week, head for Death Valley. The National Weather Service forecast for the really hot parts of the hottest place in North America is for a high of 127 this week, with lows in the low to middle 90s. That's before temperatures moderate later in the week (Sunday's forecast high: 121).
Second: If you live on the coast or on select spots near the bay -- San Francisco or Berkeley -- don't whine so much about how hot it is. Yes -- the weather has broken some records and can be dangerous if you're not careful. But it's your inland neighbors and those not favored by a nice sea breeze who are really suffering through the blast-furnace intensity of our current prolonged heat wave.
Here's a quick look at the 10 Bay Area locations where high-temperature records were set or tied Sunday:
So far Monday, temperatures are much cooler in areas near the coast and near the central and northern parts of the bay than they were yesterday. For instance, San Rafael, which hit 105 on Sunday -- was in the low 90s. Berkeley, which hit unofficially broke a 122-year-old record when it hit 91 on Sunday -- was enjoying temperatures in the low 70s. For low, low temperatures, temperatures have remained in the high 50s.