Hoo boy! It’s another absurdly hot day in Humboldt County.

Our friends at the National Weather Service’s local HQ on Woodley Island have issued an excessive heat warning for the interior regions of the county due to “dangerously hot” conditions brought on by this hellish heat wave. Southern Humboldt communities will see temperatures up around 110º for the rest of the weekend. Temperatures are expected to exceed 115º in Hoopa, Ruth, and Willow Creek. 

Humboldt’s coastal communities are (thankfully) far off from triple digits, but that doesn’t mean they’re not breaking records! The NWS recorded a high of 75º at Woodley Island on Friday, surpassing the previous record of 70º for July 5, set in 1983. 

If you’re thinking about taking a trip to the river to cool off, please be extra careful around cold water. It might be hot as hell on shore, but many local rivers are still running around 60º or colder.

“At these temperatures, cold water shock can occur making it difficult to use the muscles needed to keep your head above water or to swim safely to shore,” according to the NWS. “Keeping this information in you mind, you can still safely enjoy the rivers on this hot weekend. Find pools with slow-moving water and avoid entering fast-moving water, even if it seems shallow. Wear a life jacket for river activities.”

Stay safe out there, Humboldt!

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