Highs are predicted to reach at least 100 to 120 degrees throughout California, except right along the coast, increasing the threat of heat-related illnesses and deaths. These temperatures could also test power grids.
The Weather Service’s 0-to-4 HeatRisk scale is forecast to reach the top tier “extreme” Level 4 over large areas of California’s interior as well as southern Nevada.
In California’s south and north, Weather Service offices have heat alerts extending 200 hours into the future, the longest on record.
“Plan on major heat risk impacts, even in the mountains,” the Weather Service office in Reno, Nev., wrote. “Take this one seriously.”
Death Valley, which holds the record for the highest temperature ever measured on the planet, has forecast highs of 127, 129, 131, 131, 132, 131 and 129 between Friday and Thursday, which would mark its hottest streak on record. It probably won’t reach its world record high temperature of 134 set in 1913, although there are questions about the reliability of that measurement. In 2020 and 2021, it reached 130 degrees, the highest reliably observed temperature in modern records, which could be surpassed in the coming days.
Here’s a quick look at how hot it could get in 12 cities in the western United States through early next week.
Redding, Calif.: Heat warning and max temperature forecast of 119
It has already been as hot as 112 in this Northern California city. Its all-time high of 118 could be threatened over the next few days. Even the summit of nearby Mount Shasta, which towers over 14,000 feet, is under a heat advisory.
- Friday: 117 high
- Saturday: 119 high / 74 low
- Sunday: 114 high / 76 low
- Monday: 112 high / 76 low
Sacramento: Heat warning and max temperature forecast of 111
Much like Redding, the heat will be extreme and unrelenting, while the scalding sunshine may only be inhibited by wildfire haze.
- Friday: 110 high
- Saturday: 111 high / 68 low
- Sunday: 106 high / 67 low
- Monday: 104 high / 65 low
San Francisco: Max temperature forecast of 77
The worst of the heat is forecast to spare downtown San Francisco, surrounded by chilly waters from the Pacific Ocean on three of four sides. Highs are predicted to reach only the upper 70s. However, heat advisories and excessive-heat warnings surround the city for temperatures into the triple digits, except to the west where immediate coastal areas may rise to only around 60.
- Friday: 77 high
- Saturday: 77 high / 55 low
- Sunday: 74 high / 54 low
- Monday: 72 high / 54 low
Fresno, Calif.: Heat warning and max temperature forecast of 113
Scorching heat is predicted throughout all of California’s Central Valley. Near the southern end, Fresno sees endless sun and highs from 110 to 115. There’s also an elevated fire threat amid multiple ongoing blazes.
- Friday: 110 high
- Saturday: 113 high / 79 low
- Sunday: 113 high / 80 low
- Monday: 112 high / 79 low
Santa Barbara, Calif.: Heat warning and max temperature forecast of 99
Its proximity to the coast will offer some relief, but highs are still predicted to climb well into the 90s. Some fog may occasionally moderate the heat slightly.
- Friday: 99 high
- Saturday: 91 high / 67 low
- Sunday: 94 high / 63 low
- Monday: 95 high / 62 low
Los Angeles: Heat advisory and max temperature forecast of 98
The sprawling L.A. metro area will see highs ranging from the 70s at the coast to near 105 inland.
- Friday: 98 high
- Saturday: 91 high / 72 low
- Sunday: 90 high / 70 low
- Monday: 91 high / 68 low
Palm Springs, Calif.: Heat warning and max temperature of 120
Palm Springs will be subjected to day after day of highs near 120, with lows around 90.
- Friday: 118 high
- Saturday: 118 high / 90 low
- Sunday: 118 high / 89 low
- Monday: 120 high / 90 low
San Diego: Max temperature of 80
This is one of the few places in Southern California to escape the heat, with highs near 80 the next several days. However, temperatures rapidly rise to the 110s in the Inland Empire and near 120 in the deserts.
- Friday: 79 high
- Saturday: 79 high / 67 low
- Sunday: 80 high / 67 low
- Monday: 78 high / 67 low
Las Vegas: Heat warning and max temperature of 117
Sin City could threaten its all-time high of 117 starting Sunday, while nighttime lows dip only to the mid-80s to around 90.
- Friday: 113 high
- Saturday: 113 high / 86 low
- Sunday: 117 high / 86 low
- Monday: 116 high / 88 low
Reno, Nev.: Heat warning and max temperature of 103
At about 4,500 feet, nestled in a valley at the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, Reno is likely to experience highs of 100 to 105 until further notice.
- Friday: 100 high
- Saturday: 103 high / 67 low
- Sunday: 103 high / 69 low
- Monday: 103 high / 68 low
Portland, Ore.: Heat warning and max temperature of 103
Heat ramps up Friday and stays intense at least into early next week. “This heat wave will likely be remembered more for its duration than its intensity,” the Weather Service office in Portland wrote. It warned that elevated overnight lows in urban areas will make conditions “particularly dangerous.”
- Friday: 100 high
- Saturday: 101 high / 67 low
- Sunday: 103 high / 72 low
- Monday: 103 high / 68 low
Seattle: Heat advisory and max temperature of 104
Even well to the north in the Pacific Northwest, the heat is on. Several days of 90s will scorch Seattle amid mostly sunny conditions. East of the Cascade Mountains, where heat warnings are in effect, temperatures will eclipse the century mark.
- Friday: 88 high
- Saturday: 89 high / 62 low
- Sunday: 92 high / 64 low
- Monday: 94 high / 65 low
