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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Some people in California could be exposed to major heat, the second-most serious classification on the National Weather Service (NWS) HeatRisk index, for days this weekend.
The NWS HeatRisk index is a map that provides a forecast of heat-related impacts over several days. It has five categories, ranging from green, in which there are no heat-related impacts expected, to magenta, the most significant level in which extreme impacts could occur. Magenta is defined as "rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with no overnight relief affecting anyone without cooling/hydration as well as health systems, industries, and infrastructure."
NWS offices across Southern California issued a batch of heat advisories for millions of people on Tuesday, with advisories expanding on Wednesday as forecasts became more certain. Temperatures could reach triple digits in inland areas, a level of heat that more typically occurs from June through August. Temperatures could be as high as 25 to 30 degrees above normal for this time of year, NWS meteorologist Sebastian Westerink told Newsweek.
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Several records could be broken, and NWS meteorologists are warning people that heat illness, which can be life-threatening in some cases, is possible.
According to the NWS HeatRisk index, the most at-risk areas for major heat impacts beginning on Friday will be south and west of Simi Valley, as well as southeast of Oxnard and west of Los Angeles. Widespread major heat impacts are set to decrease on Saturday and Sunday before moving back into the area on Monday of next week.
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Some parts of the state could break all-time March temperature records, NWS Los Angeles said on its website, with several daily records likely to be "shattered."
"There is a high risk for heat illness for sensitive populations including the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors," NWS Los Angeles said in a heat advisory. "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke."
The abnormally high temperatures also are expected to extend further into the U.S. Southwest. It's possible that the heat advisories will be upgraded to extreme heat warnings.
"Strong high pressure will build across the region mid-late week," NWS Phoenix wrote on X. "Lower desert temperatures will reach the 90s by the end of the week and then exceed 100 degrees next week, likely setting new all-time March records and the earliest 100°F occurrence in Phoenix."
NWS Tucson also warned of the incoming heat wave.
"A major March heat wave is expected next week. Key Points: Increasing chances for many all-time March records during Tue-Fri period. Probabilities of 100°+ highs for Tucson increase to greater than 70% next Wed-Fri. March monthly record high for Tucson is 99°," NWS Tucson wrote on X.
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