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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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The National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix has issued its earliest extreme heat watch on record, ahead of dangerously hot conditions expected to push temperatures well into the triple digits next week.
An unprecedented burst of early‑season heat is poised to grip Arizona and Southern California, where local NWS offices have issued sweeping extreme heat watches covering both desert communities and major population centers.
Forecasters warn of temperatures as high as 108 degrees that could persist from Wednesday through Saturday next week. The prolonged and anomalous heat will dramatically raise the risk of heat‑related illness, especially for people outdoors, vulnerable residents, and visitors unaccustomed to dangerous extremes, prompting officials to urge immediate precautions as millions face temperatures capable of breaking all‑time records.
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"This would be the earliest we've issued an extreme heat watch," NWS meteorologist Alicia Ryan, who works at the Phoenix office, told Newsweek. "The temperatures out here are no joke. Take them seriously."
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Prior to Friday's watch, the earliest such alert issued by NWS Phoenix was between April 26 and 30, 2020. This new alert shatters the previous record by over a month.
It is also the earliest extreme heat watch ever issued by the NWS Tucson office. Prior to Friday's alert, the previous earliest extreme heat watch in Tucson was also issued on April 30, 2020, NWS meteorologist Kevin Strongman told Newsweek.
In San Diego, the NWS office issued an extreme heat watch in February 2022, but that was because the Super Bowl was taking place at that time and meteorologists wanted visitors to be aware of potential heat impacts from temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s, NWS meteorologist Kyle Wheeler told Newsweek. The extreme heat watch that went out on Friday warned of temperatures as high as 105 in the San Diego forecast area.
It's more typical for extreme heat watches to be issued in June or July, Wheeler said.
In some cases, temperatures could become "lethal."
"Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes," NWS Tucson said in the extreme heat watch. "Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water."
In addition to being the earliest extreme heat watch ever issued by NWS Phoenix, this event could also break several other temperature records. Current forecasts show a high temperature of 102 degrees in Phoenix next Wednesday, which would break the daily record of 95 degrees set in 2017.
On Thursday, temperatures are forecast to peak at 105 degrees, shattering the previous daily record of 96 degrees set in 2020. Records could also be broken in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as at many locations across California, including in Palm Springs, where a forecasted high of 107 degrees next Thursday could break the previous daily record high of 97 degrees set in 1997.
"Visitors, seasonal residents and other people not typically accustomed to or acclimated to extreme heat are especially urged to take precautions during the hottest hours of the day and limit outdoor activity," NWS Tucson said in the extreme heat watch.
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