Be Aware of High Temperatures Friday and Saturday

The National Weather Service is predicting record-setting temperatures Friday and Saturday across the Central Coast.

Much like the excessive heat that hit our area last September, this weather system brings a heat index of greater than 100 degrees for many areas of the county – and at least in the high 80s Friday for the Lompoc Valley.

The NWS “Excessive Heat Warning” was issued for the time from 10 am Friday to 9 pm Saturday. A “Red Flag Warning” for critical fire weather conditions is in place from 3 am Friday to 6 pm Saturday. Precautions for such high heat – especially for residents used to cooler, coastal weather – are necessary. Little relief is expected during the overnight hours, with temperatures only anticipated to drop into the mid-to-upper 70s and 80s for inland and mid-60s to mid-70s along the coast.

With such high temperatures, there is an increased potential for serious heat-related illnesses, especially for the young and elderly, or those performing outdoor activities.

LVMC and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department urges community members to stay safe and take the necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Here are some important tips from the Public Health Department for taking care during times of high temperatures:

• Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or caffeine. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. If you have fluid restrictions from your doctor, ask to see how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Wear appropriate clothing. Lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing works best.
• Limit outdoor activity. Try to schedule outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, like morning and evening hours. Be sure to wear sunscreen and rest often. 

• Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated, or sweats heavily, find a cooler location for him or her immediately. 

• Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but also include hot, flushed skin. With heat stroke, the person often stops sweating and the skin will be unusually dry. If heat stroke is a possibility, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is life threatening.
• Be aware of the dangers of leaving children and pets unattended in vehicles. It only takes a matter of minutes on a relatively mild day for a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures, a fact that is exacerbated the hotter it is.

Our tips for staying cool we posted last summer are still relevant during our heatwave.