Southern California heat alert: Check which areas will surpass 100 degrees in the coming days

Temperatures are forecast to rise in California over the coming days, and already, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued various Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Warnings to help residents prepare.

There are three levels of alerts issued by the NWS:

The first is a Heat Advisory, which “is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria,” says the NWS. Those under these alerts may want to consider canceling any events planned to take place outdoors. If you do plan to be outside, make sure you can take breaks in the shade and drink plenty of water.

The second alert is an Extreme Heat Watch, which the NWS issues “when conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain.” You’ll want to be on the lookout for an Extreme Heat Warning, which is more severe and means dangerous heat conditions are expected or already occurring.

Under a ‘Watch,’ you should make sure you know where the nearest cooling shelter is, or talk with friends and family about staying at their home if you don’t have access to air conditioning. Once the watch is elevated to a warning, you need to “Take Action!” says the NWS. That includes drinking plenty of water and staying in an air-conditioned space. “Check on family and neighbors,” advises the NWS, as extreme heat is very dangerous—particularly for children and seniors.

Where have these alerts been issued?

There are no Extreme Heat Watches in effect in Southern California as of Wednesday morning, but there are some Extreme Heat Warnings in place.

Starting at 11 am on Friday through 8 am on Sunday, a warning will be in place covering: Bakersfield, Buena Vista, Coalinga - Avenal, Fresno-Clovis, Fresno-Tulare Foothills, Mariposa Madera Foothills, South End San Joaquin Valley, South End Sierra Foothills, West Side Mountains South of 198, and West Side Mountains north of 198. Temperatures in these areas are expected to reach 105ºF. The NWS advises that those in the area, “drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”

Where have Heat Advisories been issued?

Though Saturday, August 23, a Heat Advisory remains in effect in San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys. Temperatures as high as 107ºF are expected, with Thursday and Friday expected to be the hottest days. A similar alert is in place for Riverside County Mountains, San Bernardino County Mountains, and San Diego County Mountains, where temperatures will be lower, but still warm enough to pose risks to health.

Across much of central California, a Heat Advisory will remain in effect starting on Friday, August 22, through Sunday morning. Temperatures are expected to reach as high as 107ºF during the day, and cool down to the low-to-mid 70s at night. Find all impacted counties on the NWS website.

Another advisory will begin on Thursday, August 21, starting at 11 AM and running through Friday at 9 pm. The advisories covers Central Ventura County Valleys, Lake Casitas, Ojai Valley, Palos Verdes Hills, San Luis Obispo County Inland Central Coast, and Santa Barbara County Inland Central Coast, where temperatures are expected to reach anywhere between 90ºF and 105ºF.

In both cases, the NWS warns that these temperatures bring about “a high risk for heat illness for sensitive populations, including the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors.”

Please be sure to see all Heat Advisories on the NWS website, as information can evolve quickly.

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