Highs are forecast to reach at least 100 to 120 degrees across California, except along the coast, increasing the threat of heat-related illnesses and deaths. These temperatures could also test power grids.
The Weather Service’s heat risk scale of 0 to 4 is expected to reach the highest level of “extreme” Level 4 across much of inland California and southern Nevada.
In Southern and Northern California, weather service offices have issued heat warnings extending 200 hours into the future, the longest warning ever recorded.
“Expect high heat risks, even in the mountains,” the Weather Service office in Reno, Nevada, wrote. “Take this seriously.”
Death Valley, which holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded on the planet, has predicted highs of 127, 129, 131, 131, 132, 131 and 129 between Friday and Thursday, which would be the hottest period on record. It is unlikely to reach the world record 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.
Below is a look at how warm it could get in 12 cities in the western United States through early next week.
Redding, California: Heat Warning, High Expected to Hit 119 Degrees
It’s already 230 degrees in this Northern California city. The all-time high of 250 degrees could be in jeopardy in the coming days. Even the summit of nearby Mount Shasta, which rises more than 14,000 feet, is under a heat warning.
- Friday: 117 high
- Saturday: 119 high / 74 low
- Sunday: 114 high / 76 low
- Monday: 112 high / 76 low
Sacramento: Heat Warning, High Temperature Forecast of 111
As in Redding, the heat will be extreme and persistent, while the blazing sun may only be blocked by wildfire smoke.
- Friday: 110 high
- Saturday: 111 high / 68 low
- Sunday: 106 high / 67 low
- Monday: 104 high / 65 low
San Francisco: Highest temperature forecast of 77
The worst of the heat is expected to spare downtown San Francisco, which is surrounded on three of its four sides by cold Pacific waters. Highs are expected to reach only the upper 70s. However, heat watches and extreme heat warnings are in effect around the city for temperatures in the triple digits, except in the west, where coastal areas may only reach the 60s.
- Friday: 77 high
- Saturday: 77 high / 55 low
- Sunday: 74 high / 54 low
- Monday: 72 high / 54 low
Fresno, California: Heat Warning, High Temperature Forecast of 113
Blistering heat is forecast across California’s Central Valley. On the southern edge, Fresno will see endless sunshine and highs of 110 to 115. There is also an elevated fire danger amid multiple ongoing blazes.
- Friday: 110 high
- Saturday: 113 high / 79 low
- Sunday: 113 high / 80 low
- Monday: 112 high / 79 low
Santa Barbara, California: Heat Warning and High Temperature Forecast of 99
The proximity to the coast will provide some relief, but temperatures are still expected to soar into the 90s. Some fog may help to temper the heat.
- Friday: 99 high
- Saturday: 91 high / 67 low
- Sunday: 94 high / 63 low
- Monday: 95 high / 62 low
Los Angeles: Heat warning, high temperature forecast of 98
In the Los Angeles metro area, temperatures range from 70 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit along the coast and near 106 degrees Fahrenheit inland.
- Friday: 98 high
- Saturday: 91 high / 72 low
- Sunday: 90 high / 70 low
- Monday: 91 high / 68 low
Palm Springs, California: Heat Warning, High Temperature of 120
Palm Springs will experience temperatures in the high 120s day after day, with lows in the low 90s.
- Friday: 118 high
- Saturday: 118 high / 90 low
- Sunday: 118 high / 89 low
- Monday: 120 high / 90 low
San Diego: Highest temperature of 80
This is one of the few places in Southern California where you can escape the heat, with highs in the low 80s for the next few days. However, temperatures will quickly climb to 110 degrees in the Inland Empire and nearly 120 degrees 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 maximum temperature of 117
Sin City could reach an all-time high of 117 degrees starting Sunday, while overnight lows are only expected to drop to the mid-80s to around 90 degrees.
- Friday: 113 high
- Saturday: 113 high / 86 low
- Sunday: 117 high / 86 low
- Monday: 116 high / 88 low
Reno, Nev.: Heat Warning, High Temperature of 103
Reno is located at about 4,500 feet in a valley on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada. Temperatures are expected to range from 100 to 106 degrees 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, High Temperature of 103
The heat will increase Friday and remain intense into early next week. “This heat wave will likely be remembered more for its duration than its intensity,” the Weather Service’s Portland office wrote. It warned that high nighttime 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 warning, high temperature of 104
Even far north in the Pacific Northwest, it’s warm. Multiple 90-degree days will scorch Seattle amid mostly sunny conditions. East of the Cascade Mountains, where heat advisories are in effect, temperatures will top 100.
- Friday: 88 high
- Saturday: 89 high / 62 low
- Sunday: 92 high / 64 low
- Monday: 94 high / 65 low