Riverside is no stranger to hot summer days. Extreme heat is also the deadliest weather in the US. If your body can’t cool itself fast enough, permanent damage or even death can occur. When there's a risk of dangerous heat in Riverside, the National Weather Service in San Diego issues alerts.
Learn more about Alerts & Warnings here
Know the Alerts
Extreme Heat Watch: Heat watches are issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A Watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain..
Heat Advisory: A Heat Advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions.
Extreme Heat Warning:An Excessive Heat Warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions.
Heat Index: How hot it feels when relative humidity is added to air temperature while in a shaded area. Other factors, such as direct sunlight, physical activity, and wind can may impact how hot it feels, but are not accounted for in the Heat Index.
The team at the National Weather Service in San Diego have our back! Make sure to check their website regularly and follow them on social media to get updates from them.
Know Your Risk
Based on various factors, the National Weather Service can estimate heat risk for your area. From 1–4, with 4 being the highest, Heat Risk can help you determine how hazardous the heat can be for you. You can find the current heat risk forecast at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/.
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CATEGORY |
RISK OF HEAT-RELATED IMPACTS |
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Green 0 |
Little to no risk from the expected heat. |
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Yellow 1 |
MINOR - This level of heat affects primarily those individuals extremely sensitive to heat, especially when outdoors without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. |
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Orange 2 |
MODERATE - This level of heat affects most individuals sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts possible in some health systems and in heat-sensitive industries |
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Red 3 |
MAJOR - This level of heat affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in some health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure. |
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Magenta 4 |
EXTREME - This level of rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in most health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure. |
You can also download the OSHA Heat Safety Tool to know how the heat my affect you and those around you.
Protective Actions
Have a Plan to Stay Cool
- Sweating is an important way our body can reduce heat, preventing heat illness. Humidity can reduce the effectiveness of sweating, and dehydration means you’re not able to sweat as much. Shade and indoor, air-conditioned places can also help give your body a break from the heat, which can help avoid heat illness.
- Adjust plans to stay indoors as much as possible. If you plan to go outside for an extended period, make sure to bring plenty of water, take frequent breaks, go with a friend who also knows the signs of heat illness, and make sure you let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back by.
- Be Aware: Overnight temperatures may not provide enough relief, allowing stress in the body to build over long-duration heatwaves. Heat illness can become more likely in these scenarios.
Cool Centers
- While normal operating hours are maintained at all City facilities, the centers designated as a Cooling Center listed within the map and below will be activated as Cooling Centers when temperatures reach 97°F or higher.
- Cool Centers serve as drop-in sites for vulnerable individuals, seniors, the disabled and others in need of temporary relief from extreme heat. When activated, Cool Centers may offer water and snacks.
- Pools can also be a great way to beat the heat! Be sure to bring the sunscreen and plenty of water to drink. Find City Pool hours here