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How to handle record-breaking heat with no AC

One family shares their struggle with no AC
Record breaking heat hits Bakersfield
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Monday brought potential record breaking heat to Bakersfield, however it didn't quite break the record. The previous record was 109 degrees, set in 1944, and Monday saw 108 degrees. With heat like this, it's important to stay hydrated and cool to avoid heat stroke. 

However, some locals don't have air conditioning in their personal homes, so they're forced to find alternate options to stay cool. One local woman, Tiffany Glidwell, has purchased three large fans for her home, but she says it's still unbearable. 

James Seay with Dignity Health says for people like Tiffany, the best option is to get out of the house and go to a place, like the mall, that has air conditioning.

Another option is to visit a cooling center. There are many throughout Kern County. Temperatures need to reach 105 degrees in the valley and Kern River Valley and 108 degrees in the desert communities for them to open. However, the Kern River Valley and desert area centers were not open for the record breaking heat on Monday. The Kern County Parks Department says this is because they decide whether or not they will be open the previous Friday, and as of last Friday, they did not expect temperatures to reach such high numbers. 

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Weather

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Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Thursday

12/25/2025

Showers

66° / 53°

94%

Friday

12/26/2025

Showers

58° / 46°

58%

Saturday

12/27/2025

Partly Cloudy

55° / 45°

9%

Sunday

12/28/2025

Mostly Sunny

53° / 40°

8%

Monday

12/29/2025

Sunny

56° / 40°

5%

Tuesday

12/30/2025

Partly Cloudy

54° / 40°

4%

Wednesday

12/31/2025

Partly Cloudy

56° / 45°

9%

Thursday

01/01/2026

PM Showers

56° / 46°

37%