Portions of California will experience a wave of extreme temperatures this weekend, with some areas hitting triple digits as a large heat dome forms over the region and surrounding states.
A strong high-pressure system is expected to develop and remain over the western and central United States for several days, bringing high summer temperatures. The high-pressure system will act like a lid over these regions, trapping heat and humidity, resulting in dangerous conditions throughout the state.
"There will be an area of high pressure, which is causing us to have a weather pattern that supports an increase in temperatures over California," said Darkari Anderson, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
"Right now, we have moderate heat developing
on Wednesday, and then more so becoming widespread with pockets of major heat risks Friday through Sunday."
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service have issued several heat advisory warnings for Californians in preparation for this weekend, specifically urging folks to limit their outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and seek effective cooling options.
Cities such as Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Riverside are expected to reach temperatures in the low 100s with lower humidity on Saturday and Sunday, resulting in fire-prone conditions throughout the region.
We'll cool it off a few degrees for inland areas by Sunday into the middle of next week. Heat Risk remains at a moderate to high level in these regions. pic.twitter.com/zTHBDgFV4W
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) July 25, 2026
However, NWS meteorologists warn that folks living in the Coachella Valley should refrain from outdoor activities, as the region will be under an extreme heat risk advisory, with weekend temperatures expected to range from 91 to 122 degrees.
"Going into this weekend, people definitely need to be kind of aware (of the weather) and make sure they keep an eye on it throughout the day," Anderson said. "People should make sure they stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade, and look towards their local officials for any additional resources they may need to stay cool."
Additionally, meteorologists want to remind people that California is in the midst of its wildfire season, and emphasize that folks should follow "general fire weather safety" tips.
"Just make sure you're not causing sparks on the ground, improperly disposing of matches or cigarettes and kind of standard practices," Anderson added.
See where California issued weather watches and warnings
How to stay safe during a heat wave
With regions of California expected to experience triple digit weather this weekend, there are several precautions health experts recommend folks follow during an extreme heat warning to lessen the impact of the heat.
Experts recommend scheduling strenuous outdoor activities to early morning or evening hours, wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible, and drinking plenty of water.
Other precautions people can take include staying in air-conditioned rooms and staying out of the sun when possible.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Thirst
- Heavy sweating
- Elevated body temperature
- Decreased urine output
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness (coma)
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
- Fatal if treatment delayed
Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA Today. Contact him at npadilla@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social. Sign up for the TODAY Californian newsletter or follow us on Facebook at TODAY Californian
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat dome set to bring extreme heat throughout California
