San Luis Obispo broke a 20-year-old heat record on Thursday.
According to meteorologist John Lindsey, an unofficial high of 104 degrees was recorded at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport at 2:25 p.m. Thursday.
This beats the previous record for the same day, which was set in 2004 at 101 degrees, he said.
The airport’s all-time high temperature record was 117 degrees on Sept. 6, 2020. Meanwhile, the mercury reached 120 degrees at Cal Poly on the same day, Lindsey said.
San Luis Obispo County Airport recorded an unofficial high of 104 degrees Fahrenheit today at 2:25 p.m., breaking the previous daily record of 101 degrees Fahrenheit set in 2004. While the airport may reach triple digits again tomorrow, it won’t break any records. Temperatures reached an all-time high… pic.twitter.com/GgbALmDg1V
— John Lindsey (@PGE_John) 5 September 2024
Paso Robles, meanwhile, narrowly missed its own daily heat record.
According to Lindsey, the northern city reached a sweltering 41.6 degrees Celsius, just below the previous record of 42.3 degrees reached on the same day in 1988.
Lindsey said that while temperatures in Paso Robles would continue to be in the triple digits on Friday, the high would only be 110 degrees – well below the previous record of 117 degrees set on Sept. 6, 2020.
Heatwave lasts until the weekend
The hot weather is part of a heat wave that is bringing dangerously high temperatures to much of California and is expected to continue for the next few days.
Maximum temperatures in San Luis Obispo on Friday are expected to reach 37 degrees, which could cool down to 13 degrees overnight, the weather service said.
In Paso Robles, temperatures will rise to as high as 43 degrees Celsius on Friday, with temperatures dropping to 16 degrees at night.
The district is also looking forward to a warm weekend.
In San Luis Obispo, temperatures could rise to 34 degrees on Saturday and 32 degrees on Sunday. On Monday and Tuesday, temperatures will drop to above 27 degrees.
In Paso Robles, the thermometer will reach 40 degrees on Saturday and 39 degrees on Sunday. On Monday it could reach up to 38 degrees and on Tuesday up to 35 degrees, the weather service said.
The National Weather Service also issued a heat advisory for the mountains and valleys of inland San Luis Obispo County that will last until 8 p.m. Saturday.
How to stay cool
The weather service warned that “dangerously hot” conditions could pose a risk to people with heat-related illnesses.
“The warm, low temperatures at night will bring little relief from the heat,” the weather service said.
Do not leave children or pets unattended in the vehicle, it said.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, avoid the sun and check on relatives and neighbors,” the weather service said. “Take extra precautions outdoors. Wear light and loose-fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to the early morning or evening. Take action if you notice symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
