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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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An early-season heat wave is sweeping through Southern and Central California, prompting warnings for millions of residents to limit sun exposure and avoid strenuous activity outdoors. Temperatures are forecast to rise higher than 100 degrees in some areas, with little relief overnight, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Why It Matters
The agency issued a heat advisory through 9 p.m. PT Saturday for the Los Angeles and Ventura County valleys, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the southern Salinas Valley, among other locations. Officials are warning of a high risk of heat illness, especially for the elderly, young children, people without air conditioning, and those working or exercising outdoors.
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The heat advisories extend from Santa Ynez southeast through the French Valley, encompassing more than 8 million Californians. This week's heat wave comes after a period of below-average temperatures, meaning that the rising temperatures might feel particularly warm.
What to Know
Daytime highs between 88 and 100 degrees are expected Friday and Saturday, with temperatures dropping only slightly overnight. On Sunday, highs will hover in the upper 80s to low 90s, still above average for this time of year. The heat advisory is in place until 9 p.m. local time Saturday night.
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"That is significantly warmer than typical for this time of year," NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld told Newsweek.
Temperatures are usually in the 70s and 80s for the time of year.
The NWS office in Los Angeles called it a "mini heat wave," adding in a social media post that it would be the "hottest of the year" so far. The advisory warned of "moderate" to "high" risk for heat illness in vulnerable populations, particularly those without air conditioning or living in urban areas with limited tree cover or ventilation.
Officials urged residents to:
- Avoid sun exposure by staying indoors during peak hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Drink water frequently
- Double-check for children or pets before leaving your vehicle
In agricultural regions like the Salinas Valley, employers are reminded by OSHA to provide shaded rest breaks and water to outdoor workers.
The advisory explicitly warns, "Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1."
What People Are Saying
Schoenfeld told Newsweek: "For today, our temperatures are forecast to be around 10 to 20 degrees above normal, and it's about the same for Saturday ... There's a chance to break daily records for some areas, like the Burbank Airport, Woodland Hills, and Paso Robles."
Schoenfeld added: "We've been a lot cooler leading up these heat advisories, so it's going to feel pretty warm, pretty different."
NWS Los Angeles in a heat advisory: "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions when outside. ... Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke."
What Happens Next
After Saturday's high temperatures, the weather will begin to "rapidly" cool back down, Schoenfeld said. By Monday, the region will see temperatures that are a few degrees below normal.
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