Significant heat is expected in Santa Barbara County through Sunday, and National Weather Service (NWS) officials say there is a high risk of heat-related illness.
Temperatures of 85 to 100 degrees are expected in southwest coastal areas, with a heat advisory active from 10 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Sunday.
In the county, that includes the Santa Ynez Valley and other inland areas, as well as the county’s southwestern and southeastern coasts.
Temperatures of 95 to 110 are expected in parts of the local mountains, including the Santa Ynez Range and the county’s interior mountains.
An extreme heat warning will remain in effect for those areas through 8 a.m. Sunday, with “dangerously hot conditions” possible.
The heat may also extend into parts of next week, per the NWS.
Click here to see the expected temperatures and warnings for a specific area.
A high surf advisory is also in effect for the Santa Barbara Channel Islands through 5 p.m. Saturday, with waves of four to eight feet and dangerous rip currents expected along south-to southwest-facing beaches.
High tides of 6.2 to 7 feet are possible through Friday night. Minor coastal flooding along nearby beaches in Ventura and Los Angeles counties is possible.
The following are tips from the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management to stay safe during hot weather:
Do not leave children (and pets) unattended in vehicles. It takes only a matter of minutes on a relatively mild day for a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures.
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, such as 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 them 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.
