CA University Cuts Graduation Short; 6 Hospitalized Amid Extreme Heat

SACRAMENTO, CA — At least six people were hospitalized Friday after watching a university commencement in Northern California in extremely hot conditions, officials said.

The UC Davis graduation ceremony was cut short on Friday amid calls for medical attention, the university said in a statement. The UC Davis Fire Department reportedly urged the university to end the ceremony early.

"We deeply regret that some students did not get a chance to walk cross the stage. Chancellor Gary S. May and Provost Mary Croughan invite any of those students who did not get to cross to return with their families for a separate ceremony this Sunday. We appreciate your understanding and know this has been frustrating," school officials wrote in a statement.

UC Davis changed Saturday's graduation schedule to begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday to avoid the heat. University officials said they would start in the morning and read all of the names until they are finished or "until Safety Services determines that it’s too hot to continue."

The news comes as deadly hot temperatures hit the Golden State on Friday. Some 35 million people were under heat advisories from California to Texas over the weekend, CNN reported.

In California's Death Valley, temperatures climbed over 120 degrees on Friday, according to AccuWeather.

Forecasters warned residents to be wary of overnight temperatures as well as daytime temperatures during heat waves.

"The overnight hours, when temperatures are expected to drop to the daily minimum, can become a secret danger to residents during a heat wave," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Smithmyer said. "When the air temperatures remain at elevated levels as people go to sleep, additional strain to the heart can occur as the body tries to regulate the internal temperature."