A deadly heatwave is set to hit the Southwestern United States, challenging the Death Valley record early this next week. The image in the article is of the Southern California Weather Force weatherman near a thermometer in Death Valley in Summer 2013. Read on for more details …
A ridge of high pressure will build into the region this weekend, with Saturday on a slightly incline in temperatures and Sunday and Monday being the peak days with cooling after Tuesday. Heat risk levels here at Southern California Weather Force are projected to be extreme, with temperatures nearing 115F degrees in some Inland areas and an AVERAGE temperature of 110F!
The heat will be a ‘dry heat’ and humidity will not accompany it at the surface … however even 110F+ is considered deadly heat even if dry so this “It’s a dry heat” will not matter much at all.
Death Valley may go over 130F on Monday or Tuesday, the peak heating days for that area of California. In July of 1913, Death Valley recorded a temperature of 134F and it is considered the hottest temperature ever recorded.
While Death Valley’s July 10, 1913, recorded temperature now is considered the hottest ever, on September 13, 1922, a temperature reading of 136 degrees was recorded in El Azizia, Libya.Though the Libya recording had been certified by the World Meteorological Organization as the hottest air temperature ever recorded, evidence about Libya’s record later suggested that it was invalid.
The following finalized predicted temperature forecasts are in. Valid Sunday and Monday .. the peak days.
Riverside – 110 – 113
Downtown LA – 101 – 100
Fullerton – 105 – 108
Valencia – 106 – 110
Irvine – 97 – 98
Ramona – 103 – 108
Bakersfield – 99 – 107
Paso Robles – 98 – 103
Lancaster – 102 – 106
Apple Valley – 101 – 105
29 Palms – 105 – 110
Indio – 113 – 118
Brawley – 118 – 122
Blythe – 116 – 120
Las Vegas – 106 – 113
The best defense is prevention. Here are some prevention tips:
- Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask your doctor how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
- Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
- Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
- Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
- Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
- Infants and young children
- People aged 65 or older
- People who have a mental illness
- Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
- Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.
If you must be out in the heat:
- Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
- Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Remember the warning in the first “tip” (above), too.
- Try to rest often in shady areas.
- Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).