This week, California is bracing for an unseasonably warm autumn heat wave that might last through the weekend, according to weather experts.

Currently, over 6 million residents in the western U.S. are experiencing heat alerts, as reported by the National Weather Service.

As the heat dome creates a hot air mass across California and the wider southwestern U.S., temperatures could reach record highs. AccuWeather meteorologists predict San Francisco could experience temperatures in the mid-90s, unusual for the typically mild climate thanks to a high-pressure system retaining heat in portions of the western U.S.

“It’s rare to see such warm temperatures this late in the year, which is why these records are at risk,” said Ashton Robinson Cook, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service, in an interview with YSL News.

Robinson Cook indicated that the usual ocean breezes that help cool California won’t make it to the coast this week. This is caused by the high-pressure system, or heat dome, which is causing these elevated temperatures. As a result, the breezes will remain offshore.

“The breeze won’t be flowing in from the ocean at all,” he explained, elaborating on how the heat dome will hinder the flow of air inland.

Residents in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix can expect exceptionally high temperatures continuing through Friday, and possibly into Sunday, Robinson Cook noted.

Potential Record-Breaking Heat in California

A significant portion of California’s coastline, including San Francisco, was placed under a heat advisory on Monday due to expected temperatures hitting 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Further inland from the Bay area, temperatures may rise to 105 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

San Francisco’s record high for this period was established in 1980, when temperatures peaked at 97 degrees Fahrenheit, as per AccuWeather data.

Northward, Robinson Cook highlighted Ukiah, California, as another locale that could experience record-breaking heat. Throughout the week, temperatures in Ukiah might reach 103 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 102 degrees.

Excessive Heat Watch for Los Angeles

Southern California is set to experience extremely hot weather, with Los Angeles under an excessive heat watch until Wednesday evening. Officials are predicting temperatures could reach as high as 103 degrees Fahrenheit.

This week’s heat dome “is established over California and extends to the desert southwest,” explained Robinson Cook.

The weather service is cautioning residents in California’s largest city about the risks associated with extreme heat, advising them to remain out of direct sunlight.

“There is a significant risk of serious heat-related illnesses for everyone, especially young children, the elderly, those without air conditioning, and people engaged in outdoor activities,” the weather service stated on Monday.

Similar to cities further north, smaller towns throughout the greater Los Angeles area may also experience record-breaking temperatures this week, according to Robinson Cook.

In areas north of Los Angeles, the desert region of Palmdale could see highs of 102 degrees, exceeding its previous record of 99. Moreover, in Needles, near the Arizona border, temperatures might rise to 109, surpassing the town’s record of 108 degrees.

Las Vegas Poised to Break Records

Both Las Vegas and Phoenix are likely to break early October heat records.

In Las Vegas, which is typically known for its dry, hot climate, late-season extreme heat can pose significant dangers, as stated by the weather service on Monday.

“Late-season heat can be hazardous because people are already exhausted from enduring high temperatures all summer,” the weather service cautioned.

In Phoenix, highs could reach 113 degrees, which would shatter the previous record of 107 set in 2020, according to AccuWeather.

In Las Vegas, temperatures could climb to 104 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 103 established in 1978, according to AccuWeather predictions. The weather service even anticipates that temperatures in the broader Las Vegas area might soar as high as 108 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Las Vegas is expected to break a record,” Robinson Cook confirmed.