Millions of Americans are being urged to limit their time outdoors this weekend and into early next week as dangerous heat spreads across large parts of the United States, prompting warnings and advisories from the National Weather Service (NWS).
As of early Saturday, extreme heat warnings span parts of Oregon, Washington and California. The agency issues such warnings when “extremely dangerous heat conditions” are forecast or already happening. The NWS advises limiting outdoor activity, staying hydrated, taking shade breaks if outside, remaining in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible and checking on others.
Meanwhile, heat advisories, which signal heat conditions that are still potentially dangerous but do not meet the threshold for a warning, have been issued for parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, as well as portions of California, Oregon and Washington.
The alerts come ahead of a UFC Freedom 250 event planned as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, as well as President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday on Sunday.
Extreme Heat Warnings
In Oregon and Washington, an alert for the Portland metro lowlands and West Hills, western Columbia River Gorge, Chehalem Mountain, the inner Vancouver metro, and east Clark County lowlands warns of “dangerously hot conditions,” with temperatures potentially reaching 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As of reporting, the alert spans from 11 a.m. Pacific time Sunday to 11 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the NWS, the hottest conditions are expected Sunday and Monday, followed by a slight cooling on Tuesday. Nights will stay warm through early Tuesday, with lows between 63 and 67 degrees, providing little overnight relief, it added.
In California, the NWS office in Sacramento warned that hot conditions would persist into early next week, especially across the northern Sacramento Valley and nearby areas, with highs of 105 to 110 degrees expected from Sunday through Tuesday.
Heat Advisories
Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas
A heat advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. Central time Saturday across central, north central, northwest, south central, southeast, southwest and west central Mississippi, along with northeast Louisiana and southeast Arkansas. Heat index values of about 105 degrees are forecast across the region.
California
In the Bay Area, the Santa Clara Valley and East Bay hills and valleys are forecast to reach 90 to 95 degrees, with some readings above 100, with the hottest conditions in the East Bay hills and valleys.
In northern and interior parts of the state—including Trinity, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Del Norte counties—high temperatures range from the mid-90s to as high as 112 degrees, including 100 to 112 in northwestern and central Trinity County.
Central California, including the San Joaquin Valley, may reach up to 103 degrees, according to the NWS.
Texas
A heat advisory is in effect for Palo Duro Canyon State Park from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Saturday, where temperatures are expected to reach up to 105 degrees.
Oregon and Washington
Heat advisories are in place across southwest Oregon—including Jackson, Josephine, Curry and Douglas counties—where high temperatures will range from 94 to 104 degrees from Sunday to Tuesday, according to the NWS.
Additional advisories cover the Willamette Valley, Cascade foothills and Columbia River Gorge, where temperatures are expected to reach 92 to 98 degrees.
In Washington, heat advisories cover western portions of the state, including the Seattle area, Puget Sound lowlands, Cascade foothills and parts of the Olympic Peninsula.
Kansas
Heat advisories are in effect across south-central Kansas, including Kingman, Harper, Sumner, Cowley and Barber counties. Heat index values are expected to reach up to 105 degrees.
Oklahoma
Northern and northeastern Oklahoma—including areas such as Enid, Stillwater, Tulsa and Ponca City—are under a heat advisory. Heat index values between 105 and 108 degrees are expected.
North Carolina
A heat advisory covers the southern and eastern Piedmont, Sandhills and southern Coastal Plain, with heat index values of 102 to 108 degrees expected. Another advisory covers areas such as Jacksonville and New Bern, where heat index values may reach up to 105.
South Carolina
Heat advisories are in place across coastal and northeastern portions of the state, including Myrtle Beach and Florence. Heat index values are expected to reach 105 to 110 degrees.
Georgia
A heat advisory is in effect across central, east central, north central, northeast, southeast and west central Georgia, where heat index values are expected to reach up to 105 degrees.
Florida
The eastern Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region, including Tallahassee and Panama City, are also under a heat advisory. Heat index values are expected to reach between 106 and 110 degrees.
Regular updates are issued by the NWS via its website and social media channels.
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