The National Weather Service is expecting high temperatures in the 90s for most of the week for Santa Barbara County. The agency issued a heat advisory in effect beginning on Tuesday and ending late Sunday. Residents are advised to take precautions to prevent heat illness.
The National Weather Service is expecting high temperatures in the 90s for most of the week for Santa Barbara County. The agency issued a heat advisory in effect beginning on Tuesday and ending late Sunday. Residents are advised to take precautions to prevent heat-related illness. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo

A historic heatwave will bring high temperatures for most of the week, posing a risk of heat illness for Santa Barbara County residents.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Santa Barbara County, effective Tuesday at 10 a.m. and lasting until 8 p.m. on Friday.

Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said the high temperatures are “unprecedented” for March, and multiple heat records have already been broken. The last time temperatures were this high early in the year was 1988.

The heat was described as a “high pressure dome” covering a large portion of Southwest California, including Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties.

Mountain areas are expected to reach the mid-90s. Inland areas, valleys, and deserts could see temperatures in the triple digits. The high pressure will last for most of the week before moving inland to other states.

Forecasters expect temperatures to begin falling on Saturday and return to just above normal on Sunday.

Extreme temperatures also increase the risk of heat illness for everyone across the region. The National Weather Service is reminding residents to drink plenty of fluids and not to leave pets or children in parked cars – even for a few minutes.

Schoenfeld added that they do not predict an increased fire risk during this hot weather due to the heavy rainfall in late 2025 and early 2026. The extra rainfall keeps the foliage well-watered, reducing the risk of ignition from dry vegetation.

She added that the heat could increase fire risk later in the season as the heatwave dries out vegetation.  

A map showing the forecasted maximum temperatures this week across the region.
A map showing the forecasted maximum temperatures this week across the region. Credit: National Weather Service photo

Daytime temperatures in Santa Barbara and there rest of the South Coast will be in the high 80s and low 90s through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

The Lompoc and Santa Maria valleys will also have daytime high temperatures in the 80s and 90s for the rest of the week, with the hottest day expected to be Thursday.

Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley will have daytime temperatures in the 90s all week, and climb to the mid-90s by Thursday.

Temperatures will start to fall across the region on Friday and Saturday, according to the latest weather forecast.

Check the latest weather forecast for your area and weather-related alerts. 

The National Weather Service warns this week's heat wave brings a high risk for heat illness to everyone because of the higher-than-normal temperatures for March.
The National Weather Service warns this week’s heat wave brings a high risk for heat illness to everyone because of the higher-than-normal temperatures for March. Credit: National Weather Service photo

Staying Safe in the Heat

The National Weather Service warns that everyone is at risk of heat illness due to the extreme temperatures for this time of year.

The Office of Emergency Management has issued tips on how to avoid overheating.

  • Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or caffeine. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. If you have fluid restrictions from your doctor, ask to see how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
  • Take care of those who might not be aware of high temperature dangers or be able to react accordingly – especially the elderly, young children, and pets. Check on your neighbors.
  • 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.
  • For those who work outside, be sure to take frequent rest breaks in a shaded area or air-conditioned room, if possible. Stay hydrated and take action by moving to a cooler space if you feel signs of heat exhaustion.
  • Take regular breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room. A few hours in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler. Taking a cool shower or bath can help too.
  • If you do not have air‐conditioning, consider arranging to spend at least parts of the day at another space that is cool. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.
  • Wear appropriate clothing. Lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing works best.
  • 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!
  • Do not leave 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.

— Noozhawk staff writer Daniel Green can be reached at dgreen@noozhawk.com.