What is Extreme Heat?
An extreme heat event is two or more days and nights of unusually high heat for your region. California is experiencing more frequent episodes of extreme heat, creating a greater danger to Californians from heat-related illness.
How to Stay Informed
Check the local news and resources for weather forecasts, extreme heat alerts, and cooling centers.
Find additional resources to help handle the heat.
Assess Your Risk
Extreme heat puts a lot of stress on your body and can be deadly. Find out if you are or a loved one are at a higher risk for heat related illness.
Get Heat Ready
Make a Plan
As with earthquakes, floods, or other serious natural weather events, planning can help protect yourself and vulnerable family members.
Move to Cooler Place
Find a cooling center, community center, public library, shopping mall, or other air-conditioned building that can provide relief.
Know the Warning Signs
of Heat-Related Illness
Symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, feeling weak, headache, nausea or vomiting, tiredness, or dizziness.
Top 3 Heat Tips
Stay Cool
Avoid being outside in the direct heat for a long time. Try to stay in air-conditioned spaces, at home with your A/C set between 75-80 degrees, or at your local library, shopping mall, or community center. If staying home, keep blinds closed and wear loose, light-colored, lightweight clothing.
Stay Hydrated
Sip water all day and consider supplementing with sports drinks. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Look After Each Other
Check in on friends and family and have them do the same for you.
Extreme Heat Planning Resources
California’s state agencies and departments have gathered additional resources and information to help you stay safe, cool and connected.
Stay Informed
- Sign up for emergency alerts
- Follow your local news to stay informed on weather forecasts, including alerts on extreme heat events, and where to access your local cooling centers.
- Check the National Weather Service HeatRisk forecast.
- California Hazards by County
- Learn about reducing power with Flex Alerts
- Get tips and advice from the home country on avoiding the dangers of extreme heat
Stay Cool and Save Money
- Find Your Cooling Center
- Check out your local energy bill assistance program or weatherization program which are free programs that can help improve your home so it retains it indoor temperature or help you pay your air conditioning bills.
- Check out your local utility for more assistance.
- Find trees to help offset the urban island-effect through your local utility.
Stay Safer in Extreme Heat
- CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions about Extreme Heat and Heat Illness
- CDPH
- The Department of Aging publishes resources tailored for older adults and adults with disabilities for Staying Safe During Extreme Heat.
- NAMI California publishes resources tailored for individuals affected by serious mental illness.
- California Heat Assessment Tool (cal-heat.org)
- National Integrated Heat Health Information System’s Heat-related Illness Resource
- Stay Safer During a Power Outage
Emergency Resources
- CDPH’s Emergency Preparedness Office provides information and resources to the public on how to stay safe during extreme heat.
- Listos California
- The 99 Calor Campaign publishes resources in multiple languages about Heat Illness Prevention and provides external communications about Cal OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Standard for outdoor workers.
- If transportation is an issue, consider making a plan with friends, family, and neighbors to help you get to a cooler, safe place.
- Use 511 Real Time Traveler Information site
- Call 5-1-1 to find real-time traveler information
- Use your Regional 511 website:
- Google Dial-A-Ride to find your local transit services.
- Check with local / regional transit agencies for public transit access, including free or discounted rides during heat waves:
- American Public Transit Association (APTA): Look up California transit agencies and other info
- Transit Link: California Public Transportation Maps
- Call 211 to find all essential community services, including transit.
- Use 511 Real Time Traveler Information site