Heat advisory issued as triple-digit highs linger across SLO County. Here’s the forecast
Temperatures across San Luis Obispo County are expected to reach even higher this weekend following a record-breaking day in the city of San Luis Obispo on Thursday.
After temperatures at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport unofficially recorded a high of 104 degrees at 2:25 p.m. on Thursday, few places in the county will be spared from the scorching heat Friday.
According to an urgent message from the National Weather Service, the inland areas of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties could hit daytime high temperatures in the 90s, reaching as high as 106 degrees across the coastal areas.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory starting Friday morning through 8 p.m., during which temperatures will reach unsafe levels for sensitive populations including the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors.
Areas of particular concern include Lopez Lake, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Nipomo and Buellton.
In San Luis Obispo, highs are expected to top out near 106 degrees under a hot and sunny sky Friday, though temperatures are expected to drop during the following days, according to the Weather Service.
With overnight temperatures expected around 57 degrees and clear skies through the weekend, temperatures in the city will decline to 94 degrees Saturday and 89 degrees Sunday.
Where will hottest weather be in SLO County?
The Weather Service also issued an excessive heat warning for most of North County and inland valley areas as temperatures climb to as high as 110 degrees on Friday in Paso Robles.
According to the heat warning, Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, San Miguel, the Carrizo Plain, Hearst Castle, Shandon, Creston, the La Panza Range, Santa Margarita Lake, Lake Nacimiento and the Irish Hills are all at high risk for dangerously high temperatures.
Nighttime temperatures will be warmer than usual through the weekend, bringing little relief from the daytime heat, according to the warning.
The warning lasts through 8 p.m. Saturday, when temperatures will reach a high of 107 degrees in Paso Robles.
Conditions will become slightly more favorable Sunday in Paso Robles, with temperatures cooling somewhat to 102 degrees.
Highs in Templeton and Atascadero are expected to be slightly lower than Paso Robles, if only by a few degrees.
While Morro Bay will reach 90 degrees Friday and highs of 76 degrees Saturday and 70 degrees Sunday, most other coastal cities are expected to see much cooler conditions as the weekend progresses.
Pismo Beach will only reach 73 degrees Friday before temperatures settle in the lower 60s during the weekend, though to the south Grover Beach will see a peak of 93 degrees Friday before temperatures cool to the mid- to low 70s over the weekend.
However, just a couple miles inland temperatures are expected to remain elevated in Arroyo Grande, reaching 103 degrees Friday followed by 90 degrees Saturday and 80 degrees Sunday.
Cooling Center opens for homeless residents
According to a news release from 40 Prado Homeless Services Center, the shelter’s Cooling Center will be open Friday and Saturday due to “dangerously hot temperatures.”
40 Prado opens the Cooling Center in the event of a National Weather Service heat advisory between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to clients in good standing with the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo.
Once guests have completed a screening assessment, secure kennels are available, along with rabies vaccinations for pets, according to the release.
Lunch will be served by community partner organization The People’s Kitchen at noon, with the shelter providing breakfast before 9 a.m. and dinner services at 5 p.m., according to the release.
Volunteers are currently needed, along with the following general needs:
Bottled water and sports drinks
Non-perishable snacks
Large backpacks, tents and sleeping bags
New or cleaned socks and new or cleaned work gloves
Gift cards for gas, clothing and food
How to stay cool
The Weather Service warned that “dangerously hot” conditions could be risky for people with heat-related illnesses.
“Warm overnight low temperatures will bring little relief from the heat,” the Weather Service said.
Do not leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, it added.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the Weather Service said. “Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
This story was originally published September 6, 2024 at 10:38 AM.
