It might still be winter in California, but a heat wave forecasted to bring temperatures
potentially over 20 degrees higher than the March average is expected for later this
week.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat advisory for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties starting 10 a.m. Thursday.
The agency marked the severity as “Moderate,” continuing that there is “possible threat to life or property.”
The NWS is forecasting temperatures between 85 and 95 degrees fahrenheit for the
coasts and coastal valleys around Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
The advisory is in place until 8 p.m. Friday. Above normal temperatures are
expected to continue into next week.
“Additional Heat Advisories or Extreme Heat Warnings may be needed,” according to the NWS.
According to NOAA, the average high temperature in Santa Barbara for March is 67
degrees. The heat wave later this week could bring temperatures over 20 degrees
higher than that average.
Temperatures have the potential to nearly reach the record high temperature for the
month of March here in Santa Barbara.
According to the Western Regional Climate Center, the highest recorded temperature in March was 96 degrees in 1988.
This heat wave comes off the back of an already hotter than normal February. The average temperature was 55.3 degrees this month, according to NOAA. That made it
the third highest average temperature in the last 30 years, the hottest recorded being
February, 2015, at 56 degrees.
To stay safe the NWS advises drinking lots of fluids, avoiding sun exposure, and staying
in air-conditioned spaces. If outdoor activities are necessary, limit strenuous activities to
early morning or evening and wear loose fitting and lightweight clothing.
