Edhat Staff
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns residents of Santa Barbara County to prepare for a significant uptick in temperatures and strong gusty winds starting Tuesday, October 1, through Thursday, October 3, 2024.
This weather event poses a significant wildfire risk across the region, with winds potentially surpassing 35 mph and temperatures reaching staggering highs between 100 to 108 degrees in certain areas.
The NWS has specifically issued a Fire Weather Watch for the interior mountains of Santa Barbara County, emphasizing the heightened risk of wildfires due to the combination of hot, dry, and windy conditions. Such atmospheric setup dramatically increases fire danger, urging the community to refrain from activities that could ignite fires, including outdoor burning and using machinery that may create sparks.
The forecast details a scenario where building high pressure and offshore flows converge to create potentially record-breaking temperatures across both mountain and coastal areas. “A few record highs will be possible during this period,” the NWS notes, underscoring the severity of the heatwave.
Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions against the heat, such as staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, seeking shade during peak temperatures, and never leaving children or pets unattended in vehicles. The elderly, children, and those with health conditions should be particularly cautious and consider staying indoors to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Additionally, the community is encouraged to prepare for the wind, which may down trees and power lines, causing power outages and potential road hazards. Emergency kits should include water, food, a flashlight, batteries, and other essentials to cope with possible power outages.
On Tuesday afternoon the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued a Health Alert due to the Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warning issued by the NWS.
Community members are strongly encouraged to take the following precautions whenever temperatures are on the rise:
• Take care of those who might not be aware of the danger or be able to react accordingly – especially the elderly, young children, and pets. Check on your neighbors.
• Wear appropriate clothing. Lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing works best.
• Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or caffeine. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. If you have fluid restrictions from your doctor, ask to see how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Limit outdoor activity. Try to schedule outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, like morning and evening hours. Be sure to wear sunscreen and rest often.
• Take regular breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room. A few hours in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler. Taking a cool shower or bath can help too.
• If you do not have air‐conditioning, consider arranging to spend at least parts of the day at another space that is cool. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.
• For those who work outside, be sure to take frequent rest breaks in a shaded area or air-conditioned room, if possible. Stay hydrated and take action by moving to a cooler space if you feel signs of heat exhaustion.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated, or sweats heavily, find a cooler location for him or her immediately.
• Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but also include hot, flushed skin. With heat stroke, the person often stops sweating and the skin will be unusually dry. If heat stroke is a possibility, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is life threatening!
• Do not leave children (and pets) unattended in vehicles. It only takes a matter of minutes on a relatively mild day for a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures.
Make a plan to keep cool during the hot weather days ahead. For tips and information on staying cool and safe during heat events, visit: https://www.readysbc.org/4257/Hot-Windy-Conditions-Expected-in-SBC
The local Fire Department and emergency services are on high alert, and additional resources and monitoring will be in place throughout the risk period to respond rapidly to any fire outbreaks. Residents are also reminded to clear any brush or flammable materials from around their homes as a precautionary measure.
For ongoing updates and detailed weather forecasts, the public is urged to visit the National Weather Service website at https://www.weather.gov/lox/. Stay informed, stay prepared, and help prevent wildfires during this high-risk weather event in Santa Barbara County.
Free link, good for a week or two:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/02/opinion/hurricane-helene-florida-insurance.html?unlocked_article_code=1.PU4.NjN9.PQYL0RXxNkRA&smid=url-share
The People Fleeing Climate Disasters Are Going to Transform the American South
“Researchers now estimate tens of millions of Americans may ultimately move away from extreme heat and drought, storms and wildfires. While many Americans are still moving into areas considered high risk, lured by air-conditioning and sunny weather, the economic and physical vulnerabilities they face are becoming more apparent.”
That explains Edison’s upcoming PSPS: Public Safety Planned Shutoff in some areas
OMG the weather chanel says 90 degrees today, then dropping down. A real ALL CAPS ALERT! I know – some remote desert with 3% of the population may hit 100. Hysteria! Another record again – hasn’t been this hot for six
months.
More red nose level tripe from the rubes.
How many will die?
Because of these timely warnings, with luck, very few.
What motivates you to post such idiotic nonsense?
RUBY – we all know you get triggered by weather alerts. No need to keep plastering this site with your paranoia.
Good thing you don’t have elderly parents or other vulnerable people in your family or friend (lol yeah right) group. Must be nice to only have to think about oneself and screw everyone else.
I guess the SYV is desert for this fool.
If you read about it, Santa Barbara is all a desert
RUBY – dude what? No. No it is not. Santa Barbara is not “all a desert.”
Is someone daring you to type the stuff you do?
He could learn a little before spouting off like he does:
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/desert/
About that CA outflow of residents:
https://firststreet.org/research-library/climate-abandonment-areas
https://assets.firststreet.org/media/National%20Risk%20Assessment%20Climate%20Abandon.pdf