Summer's 1st Heat Wave Speeds Toward The Bay Area: Forecast

SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State is bracing for the first real blast of heat of the season, and temperatures are set to soar across California in the days leading up to July 4. Forecasters are focused on the holiday weekend as potentially the hottest part of the heat wave. That's when afternoon highs are expected to climb into the 90s for many in NorCal.

The National Weather Service's Bay Area office issued a heat advisory from Friday morning to Sunday night, forecasted temperatures will range from the 90s to the low triple-digits in the inland valleys while topping out in the low 70s along the coast.

Moderate heat risks are expected across the North Bay, East Bay, and the South Bay, along with inland portions of Monterey and San Benito counties. Concord, King City, and San Jose are all forecast to reach the mid-to-high 90s Friday through Sunday, with Livermore potentially hitting 100 degrees Saturday.

Forecasters do not anticipate heat hazards for communities on the Peninsula and in Santa Cruz County.

In SoCal, temps will continue to climb heading into the weekend and are expected to peak Saturday and Sunday. The National Weather Service warns "blazing heat" will impact the deserts over the weekend, topping 110 degrees in Palm Springs while running plenty hot inland, too.

The Inland Empire is likely to reach the mid-90s to low 100s both Saturday and Sunday, while the San Fernando Valley will swelter in the mid-90s. Los Angeles, Anaheim and Irvine should land in the low-to-mid 80s. A shallow marine layer should help keep the coasts cooler. Much of the Southern California coast from San Diego to Laguna Beach and Malibu are expected to remain in the low-to-mid-70s 0ver the weekend.

"Highs will reach to near 115 over the lower deserts during this time period and around 105 over the high desert," NWS San Diego wrote Tuesday. "The heat risk will be high Saturday through Monday over the deserts. Highs this weekend will reach well into the 90s to near 100 over the Inland Empire and in the upper 80s to mid-90s across the inland valley of San Diego County."

An excessive heat watch will be in place from Friday morning through Monday night for portions of Central California, including Bakersfield, Los Banos, Merced and Fresno, but heat-related advisories have not been issued for communities around Los Angeles and San Diego. However, residents should still prepare for a moderate heat risk.

Forecasters expect temperatures will have peaked by Monday in both NorCal and SoCal, but should run stay warm for Independence Day, even as temperatures start to moderate.

With abundant fuel for wildfires in the wake of historic winter storms, forecasters also warn a hot and dry weekend will present elevated fire risks across the Golden State. Officials urge Californians to help minimize the danger by taking a few simple precautions, like not leaving campfires unattended and refraining from illegal fireworks.

Heat waves also present risks for pets and people sensitive to heat or without adequate cooling, and continuing snowmelt means many waterways continue to run dangerously cold.

"As this is the first heat event of the season, people and pets may be more susceptible to heat effects, especially given the extended period of below-average temperatures so far," NWS Bay Area wrote Tuesday. "Stay hydrated, take cooling breaks, and never leave people or pets unattended in hot vehicles."