Multiple National Weather Service (NWS) offices issued extreme heat warnings Friday, impacting parts of California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Nevada, with forecast highs ranging from the upper 90s to well into the triple digits. Officials are urging residents to stay indoors, remain in air-conditioned spaces, and limit outdoor activity until temperatures return to safer levels.
Why It Matters
Extreme heat events pose serious public health and safety risks. When warnings stretch across multiple states, potential impacts include:
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Increased emergency room visits from heat-related illnesses
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Greater stress on power grids due to higher air-conditioning demand
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Disruptions to outdoor work and daily routines
This widespread heat wave prompted warnings from multiple NWS offices, including Hanford, Los Angeles/Oxnard, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Portland, Medford, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and Flagstaff. Officials warned of heightened risks of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, limited overnight cooling in several valleys, and the need for urgent precautions.
What To Know
NWS alerts warned of “dangerously hot conditions” and highlighted that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during such events. People were urged to:
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Drink plenty of fluids
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Stay in air-conditioned rooms
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Avoid prolonged sun exposure
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Check on neighbors and relatives, especially the elderly
Active Extreme Heat Warnings are in effect for:
California
Warnings cover multiple counties and valleys served by NWS offices in Hanford, Los Angeles/Oxnard, and San Diego:
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Inland areas like Fresno and Bakersfield
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Coastal-inland zones, including Los Angeles and nearby mountains
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Deserts such as Coachella Valley
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Parts of southwest California
Temperatures range from the upper 90s to mid-110s.
Arizona
Warnings affect much of the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas, Grand Canyon lower elevations, Yuma, and western/southern deserts, with highs often exceeding 105–110°F.
Oregon
The Portland/Vancouver metro, Willamette Valley, Columbia River Gorge, and inland foothills face highs between upper 90s and 103°F, with warm overnight lows offering little relief.
Washington
Parts of northwest Washington—including Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston, and Lewis counties—are expected to reach upper 80s to upper 90s.
Utah
Lower Washington County and Zion National Park are under warnings, with temperatures up to 109°F.
Nevada
Southern and south-central Nevada, including the Las Vegas Valley, Clark County, and surrounding desert regions, could hit 110°F in some areas.
According to Marc Chenard, meteorologist at the NWS Weather Prediction Center, the highest temperature anomalies are concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, where readings are 15 to 25 degrees above average for this time of year.
Meanwhile, the Upper Midwest and Central U.S. are expected to see cooler, fall-like temperatures starting this weekend.
What People Are Saying
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NWS Seattle on X (formerly Twitter):
“The warming trend really kicks in today. Seattle has had no more than four consecutive days at or above 80° this summer. That looks to change in the days ahead. Record high maximum (and minimum) temperatures are likely.” -
NWS Hanford, CA, in an extreme heat warning:
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in minutes.”
What Happens Next
Most extreme heat warnings remain in place through Saturday night, with some extending into Sunday morning. Residents in affected regions are urged to stay indoors, limit outdoor exposure, and take all necessary precautions to prevent heat-related illness.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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