Camarillo hit 99 degrees Sunday, Oct. 4, breaking a daily temperature record that had stood since 1953.
The previous Oct. 4 record of 98 degrees was set 73 years ago, KVTA AM 1590 reported. Nearby Oxnard also reached 99 degrees the same day, topping its Oct. 4 record of 94 set in 2023.
The record fell as the National Weather Service's Extreme Heat Warning for Ventura and Los Angeles counties remains in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. The warning covers Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks, among other cities.
The NWS described conditions as dangerously hot, with temperatures reaching 90 to 100 degrees at the coast and up to 106 in the valleys. The agency warned that very hot temperatures could continue into the second week of October, possibly requiring an extension of the warning.
The heat is not letting up.
NWS Oxnard meteorologist Ryan Kittell said on Wednesday, Sept. 30 that the heat wave "might be longest lasting," telling the Ventura County Star: "Unfortunately, we don't really see an end to it."
KEYT meteorologist Shawn Quien attributed the heat to a combination of high pressure over the Western U.S. and a slight offshore flow. Quien's forecast called the heat wave unusually long and projected highs in the 90s to low 100s on Monday, Oct. 5.
The heat wave caps what has already been a record-warm year for Ventura County. NOAA data ranked the county's average temperature from January through August as the warmest in over a century, more than five degrees above average, the Ventura County Star reported.
Staying safe
The National Weather Service advises residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces and avoid the sun during peak hours. The agency warned that car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in minutes and urged residents not to leave children or pets in unattended vehicles.
Residents should also check on neighbors and relatives, particularly those who are elderly or have health conditions.
