‘This is unmatched’: SLO reaches an all-time heat record — a whopping 120 degrees
San Luis Obispo now has a new heat record.
On Sunday, temperatures at the Cal Poly weather station reached 120 degrees. That is the highest temperature since record-keeping began in 1869, said John Lindsey, a meteorologist with Pacific Gas and Electric.
The previous record was 115 degrees, set in 2017 during another record-breaking heat wave.
“This is unmatched, just unprecedented, unreal,” said Lindsey, who has worked as a meteorologist on the Central Coast since 1991.
Lindsey said the high temperatures are largely due to hot, northeasterly Santa Lucia winds blowing down the Cuesta grade, which raise the temperature 5.5 degrees every 1,000 feet, Lindsey said.
“These are Death Valley temperatures,” Lindsey remarked. “And it’s scary because with climate change — will this be a regular occurrence?”
The heat wave California is currently experiencing will be shorter than the last heat wave in mid-August, Lindsey said. This one is hotter, however, as there is no smoke cover to shade the sun, Lindsey said.
Paso Robles hit 111 degrees, though Lindsey said he expects it to smash its all-time record of 115 as well as the day progresses.
Santa Maria beat its daily heat record of 96 degrees as it hit 103 by 2 p.m. Santa Maria’s all-time heat record is 106, Lindsey said.
PG&E safety and energy-saving tips
PG&E offers five simple steps to cut your energy usage and help the state get through the coming heat wave.
- Let cooler air in during the morning.
- Close the shades, and block the sun.
- Use a fan.
- Clear the area around your air conditioner. Set the thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Turn off the pool pump by 3 p.m.
For heat safety and other energy-saving tips, please visit pge.com.
Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
According to the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department, heat exhaustion symptoms include:
- heavy sweating
- weakness
- cold, pale, and clammy skin
- fast, weak pulse
- nausea or vomiting
- fainting
Heat stroke symptoms include:
- high body temperature (above 103°F)
- hot, red, dry or moist skin and NOT sweating
- rapid and strong pulse
- confusion and possible unconsciousness
If you see signs of either illness, immediately move the person to a cooler area to lie down and rest. Cool the person with a cool (not cold) shower, bath, or wet cloth.
In the case of heat stroke, remember: heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately or ask someone to call 911 while you focus on helping the person cool down. A person suffering from heat stroke should not drink liquids.
In the case of heat exhaustion, the person may sip cool water. If the person vomits repeatedly, seek medical attention. Most people recover from heat exhaustion without medical attention.
