National Weather Service Issues Extreme Heat Warnings for Southwest California and Nearby Arizona
The alerts cover inland valleys, desert lowlands and parts of Santa Barbara County and instruct residents to seek cooling, limit outdoor activity and call 911 for heat stroke.
Overview
- The National Weather Service issued Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories that run until 8 p.m. PDT/MST on Thursday and affect pockets of southwest California and adjacent Arizona.
- Forecasters warned of daytime highs as hot as about 106 to 114°F in parts of Arizona and up to 106°F in segments of southwest California, with added humidity expected to increase discomfort.
- The warnings name specific areas such as Yuma, Parker Valley, the Imperial Valley, Chuckwalla Valley, the Salton Sea region and interior and coastal zones of Santa Barbara County.
- Officials say everyone faces a high risk of heat illness and give clear steps to reduce harm: drink water, stay in air-conditioned spaces, avoid midday sun and never leave children or pets in parked cars.
- The advisories repeat OSHA guidance for outdoor workers to take frequent shaded or air-conditioned breaks and tell anyone with suspected heat stroke to call 911 while directing people without home cooling to call 211 for shelter help.