The heat is set to swelter across much of California, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in some areas
Hot weather will descend on much of California over the next few days, possibly bringing temperatures deep into the triple digits earlier than in other areas.
Temperatures could soar above 100 degrees in the Central Valley for the first time this year. On Monday, Fresno could see temperatures reach 102 degrees – which would be the first time in a year that temperature has reached that mark since records have been kept, according to Brian Ochs, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Hanford office.
Fresno hasn’t seen 102-degree heat since early 2013, when it hit that mark on May 12.
Ochs warned about the heat: “People won’t get used to it” at this time of year and could be more affected by higher temperatures.
Forecasters warned of high fire danger in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties; the Kern County desert and the slopes of the Mojave Desert.
On Monday, Barstow could hit 102; Borrego Springs, 107; Palm Springs, 108; and Death Valley, 111. Afternoon temperatures could reach 112 degrees in Imperial County.
High temperatures are possible on Monday.
(National Weather Service)
Meteorologists have issued an “extreme heat watch” from Mother’s Day morning through Tuesday evening for Palm Springs and the rest of the Coachella Valley, the deserts of San Diego County and the San Gorgonio Pass.
An extreme heat watch has also been issued for much of Imperial County from Sunday morning through Monday night.
Along the California coast, this month is often associated with “Grey May Skies,” which persist and keep temperatures very cold. But not this year.
In Los Angeles County, forecasters expect temperatures to climb into the 80s over Mother’s Day weekend in downtown LA, Pasadena and Simi Valley. On Sunday, the mercury in Southern California may hit 80 in Irvine, 83 in downtown LA, 85 in Anaheim, 86 in Pasadena, 91 in Santa Clarita and Ontario, 92 in Riverside, 93 in Paso Robles, 94 in Lancaster, 96 in San Bernardino in Palms6.
And it could be hot on Monday, with Anaheim hitting 81 degrees; downtown LA and Anaheim, 86; Pasadena, 91; in Ontario, 94; Santa Clarita and Riverside, 95; Lancaster, 97; San Bernardino, 99; and Palm Springs, 108.
The region’s coolest areas will be near the coast, with San Clemente expected to reach a high of 73 on Monday; and San Diego and Ventura, 76.
It will be so hot this time of year that health experts across the state are advising residents to take precautions to avoid heat illness.
“Limit strenuous outdoor activities to the early morning hours,” says the weather service in Oxnard. “Stay in well-shaded or well-ventilated areas.”
In the San Joaquin Valley, meteorologists urge people to walk their dogs before dawn or after dark, and to avoid walking them on asphalt. Put your hand on the pavement for seven seconds, they say – “if it burns you, it burns them.” Horses and livestock need to have their troughs filled every day, experts say, as usage can double in hot weather.
The San Francisco Bay Area is being warned of a moderate risk of heat illness for Mother’s Day weekend and beyond, especially inland areas. Those at risk include seniors 65 and older, infants, athletes, outdoor workers, those with chronic illnesses and people who lack the ability to cool down, the weatherman said.
It’s expected to be a warm Sunday for much of the Bay Area, with San Francisco hitting 72; Oakland, 75; and San Jose, 84. On Monday, the mercury may hit 80 in Santa Cruz; 81 in San Francisco; 84 in Oakland; 90 in Napa; 93 in San Jose; 95 in Livermore and Gilroy; and 99 in King City.
In the Sierra Nevada, South Lake Tahoe could hit 78 on Mother’s Day and 80 on Monday. Mammoth could see a high of 79 on Sunday and 83 on Monday. There could be “near-record temperatures Monday and Tuesday,” the weather office in Reno said.
The heat is expected to pass through the inland areas of the North Coast regions. In Mendocino County, Ukiah could hit 96 degrees on Tuesday.
All of this heat is coming from a “high pressure system that’s powerful over us,” Ochs said, similar to the system that brought California’s incredible heat wave in March.
It was the hottest March on record for California, along with nine other states — Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming — according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. It was also the hottest March in the United States combined in 132 years of record keeping.
And expect the heat to continue into mid-May. The Climate Prediction Center predicts that above-average temperatures will continue for at least a week after Mother’s Day.
