Millions of residents in communities across parts of California have been warned to stay out of the sun by the National Weather Service (NWS) as it warns that the heatwave, which blasted the state last week and through the weekend, is expected to continue into early this week.
Areas in California Affected by High Temperatures
The NWS has issued the following areas with a heat advisory, which is in place from Monday morning until Tuesday evening: San Luis Obispo County beaches and the Inland Central Coast, Santa Barbara County Central Coast beaches and the Inland Central Coast, the Santa Lucia Mountains, and the Santa Ynez Valley—including the cities of Buellton, Santa Maria, Morro Bay, Cambria, Hearst Castle, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Irish Hills, Lake Cachuma, Avila Beach, Lompoc, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Lopez Lake, Nipomo, Solvang, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Arroyo Grande.
According to the notice, temperatures are expected to climb to between 94 and 96 degrees Fahrenheit through Monday and Tuesday, which could pose a “high risk” of heat illness—such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke—especially for sensitive groups, which include the elderly, young children, people without air conditioning, or those who work outside.
What To Do When Facing Extreme Heat
The NWS warns that “heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year,” and, therefore, issues heat advisories when “dangerous heat conditions” are expected.
Alongside limiting their exposure to the sun by staying inside and postponing outdoor activities—especially during the hottest parts of the day—the NWS advises those in affected areas to drink plenty of fluids (but avoid alcohol), wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing (avoid dark clothes, as they absorb the heat more than light-coloured clothes), and apply sunscreen every two hours if being outside is unavoidable.
It also advises those affected to familiarise themselves with the signs of heat-related illnesses, as symptoms can develop rapidly and result in hospitalization if not treated early enough.
Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness
According to the NWS, heat-related illness develops when the body can’t cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating.
Heat-related illness can often start with heat cramps, which are when the muscles—usually in the legs or stomach—cramp, causing pain. If someone is experiencing cramps, they should try to sip water and seek medical help if they don’t stop after an hour.
If not treated, it could lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include excessive sweating, weakness, pale, clammy skin, a weak pulse, nausea, headaches, and fainting. Anyone suffering with these symptoms should move to a cooler room, apply cool, wet cloths, or sit in a cool bath, and sip water. If they vomit or the symptoms last longer than an hour, they should seek medical attention.
Heat stroke symptoms can include slurred speech, confusion, a body temperature that’s above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, or a loss of consciousness. The NWS says that heatstroke is a “severe medical emergency,” so anyone suffering from heatstroke symptoms should be hospitalized immediately, as delays can be fatal.
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