Millions urged to stay indoors as brutal California heat wave approaches

More like California steamin’.

More than five million Californians are being urged to stay indoors as an unusually early-season heat wave sends temperatures across the state soaring.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory from 10 a.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Friday covering San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Ventura counties, warning of dangerous conditions that could lead to heat-related illness.

Forecasters say temperatures could climb into the 90s across much of the region, with 93 to 98 degrees expected in the inland areas of San Diego, Orange County and the Inland Empire, urging people to stay indoors.

“This is very anomalous heat for the month of March,” National Weather Service meteorologist Sebastian Westerink told Newsweek, nothing the region typically doesn’t see temperatures in the upper 90s or 100s until June.

Chief meteorologist for WFLA-TV i Tampa, Fla. Jeff Berardelli said Downtown LA might hit 100 on Friday — breaking the previous record of April 4 by three full weeks.

Officials warned the heat could pose a higher risk of illness for young children, older adults, people without cooling system and those who work outdoors, urging people to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight and remain in air-conditioned spaces when possible.

Forecasters say above-normal temperatures could linger into the weekend and beyond, according to outlooks from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center.

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