Sweltering weather will descend on much of California over the next few days, possibly ushering in triple-digit temperatures earlier than ever in some areas.
Temperatures could rise above 100 degrees in the Central Valley for the first time this year. By Monday, Fresno could see temperatures as high as 102 degrees, which would be the first time this year that the thermometer has reached that mark since records have been kept, according to Brian Ochs, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Hanford.
Fresno hasn't seen 102-degree heat this early since 2013, when it hit that mark on May 12.
Ochs warned of the heat: “People won't be as used to it” at this time of year and, therefore, may be more affected by high temperatures.
Forecasters warned of elevated fire danger in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties; the Kern County desert and the foothills of the Mojave Desert.
On Monday, Barstow could hit 102; Borrego Springs, 107; Palm Springs, 108; and Death Valley, 111. Afternoon temperatures could reach as high as 112 degrees in Imperial County.
Possible maximum temperatures for Monday.
(National Weather Service)
Forecasters issued an “extreme heat watch” from Mother's Day morning through Tuesday night for Palm Springs and the rest of the Coachella Valley, the deserts of San Diego County and the San Gorgonio Pass.
An extreme heat alert was also issued for parts of Imperial County from Sunday morning through Monday night.
Along the California coast, this month is generally associated with “gray May,” persistent gray skies that keep temperatures relatively cool. But not this year.
In Los Angeles County, forecasters expect temperatures to reach 80 degrees over Mother's Day weekend in downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena and Simi Valley. On Sunday, the mercury in Southern California could reach 80 in Irvine, 83 in downtown Los Angeles, 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 and 106 in Palm Springs.
And it could get warmer on Monday, with Anaheim reaching 81 degrees; downtown Los Angeles and Anaheim, 86; Pasadena, 91; Ontario, 94; Santa Clarita and Riverside, 95; Lancaster, 97; San Bernardino, 99; and Palm Springs, 108.
The coldest areas of the region will be right along 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 for this time of year that meteorologists across the state are recommending residents take steps to avoid heat illnesses.
“Limit strenuous outdoor activities to early morning hours only,” the Oxnard weather service said. “Stay in well-shaded areas or air-conditioned spaces.”
In the San Joaquin Valley, meteorologists urge people to walk their dogs before dawn or after dusk, 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 cattle need to fill their waterers daily, forecasters said, as consumption can double in the heat.
The San Francisco Bay Area is warned of a moderate risk of heat illness during Mother's Day weekend and beyond, especially in inland areas. Those at risk include adults 65 and older, infants, athletes, outdoor workers, people with chronic illnesses and people without access to effective cooling, the weather service said.
It is expected to be a warm Sunday across much of the Bay Area, with San Francisco reaching 72; Oakland, 75; and San José, 84. On Monday, the mercury could reach 80 in Santa Cruz; 81 in San Francisco; 84 in Oakland; 90 in Napa; 93 in San José; 95 in Livermore and Gilroy; and 99 in King City.
In the Sierra Nevada, South Lake Tahoe could reach 78 on Mother's Day and 80 on Monday. Mammoth could reach a high of 79 on Sunday and 83 on Monday. There could be “near record heat on Monday and Tuesday,” the weather service office in Reno said.
The heat is also expected to spread across inland areas of the north coast counties. In Mendocino County, Ukiah could reach 96 degrees on Tuesday.
All of this heat is courtesy of “a strong high pressure system above us,” Ochs said, similar to the system that caused California's epic heat wave in March.
It was the warmest March on record in California, as well as 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 warmest March for the continental United States in 132 years of records.
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.
