South Coast residents hoping to get outside this Labor Day weekend should be aware of high temperatures and rip currents, according to the National Weather Service.
A heat advisory has been issued for the mountain area of Santa Barbara County and heading into San Luis Obispo County, according to Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist for NWS.
The agency also warned that there is a higher risk of rip currents near beaches in Santa Barbara and SLO counties. The areas with the biggest risk are near Port San Luis and Avila Beach, which also is expected to get some elevated surf.
The warning will take effect Saturday morning and continue until 11 p.m. Monday.
Lewis recommended that swimmers look up safety measures for rip currents before getting into the water, be aware of the surroundings, swim near a lifeguard and stay off rock jetties. He added that anyone stuck in a current should not tire themselves by swimming against the rip current and should try to get to the side of it instead.
Weather Across the Region
Santa Barbara is expected to have temperatures in the low 80s and sunny skies starting Saturday and for most of the holiday weekend.
It's expected to cool down to the low 60s Saturday night, with cloudy skies overnight.
Sunday is likely to start with some fog but clear up later in the day. Temperatures are expected to continue to be in the low 80s before dropping to the mid-60s overnight.
On Monday, the forecast calls for temperatures in the low 80s during the day and mid-60s at night.
Areas near San Luis Obispo are expected to get temperatures in the high 90s and possibly in the triple digits heading into the middle of next week.
One Saturday, daytime temperatures could exceed 100 with nighttime temperatures in the mid-60s.
The heat will continue on Sunday as temperatures are expected to cross 100 degrees during the day. Nighttime temperatures should cool to the mid-60s.
Monday should be cooler but still hot with temperatures in the high 90s.
Santa Maria is expected to see temperatures in the low-80s and clear skies on Saturday and overnight temperatures in the low-60s.
Sunday is likely to continue to be moderate with temperatures in the low 80s. Fog is expected in the morning, clearing up later in the day.
Monday's forecast calls for temperatures in the high 70s and clear skies later in the day.
Solvang and the surrounding areas are likely to get temperatures in the mid-90s on Saturday with lows in the high 50s overnight.
Sunday is likely to bring highs in the mid-90s and clear skies. Temperatures should drop overnight to the low 60s.
The forecast for Monday predicts temperatures in the low 90s during the day, dropping to the low 60s at night.
Tips to Stay Cool in Hot Weather
The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management offers the following suggestions for staying cool: