DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CA JULY 14: Heat waves rise near a heat danger warning sign on the eve of the AdventurCORPS Badwater 135 ultra-marathon race on July 14, 2013 in Death Valley National Park, California. Billed as the toughest footrace in the world, the 36th annual Badwater 135 starts at Badwater Basin in Death Valley, 280 feet below sea level, where athletes begin a 135-mile non-stop run over three mountain ranges in extreme mid-summer desert heat to finish at 8,350-foot near Mount Whitney for a total cumulative vertical ascent of 13,000 feet. July 10 marked the 100-year anniversary of the all-time hottest world record temperature of 134 degrees, set in Death Valley where the average high in July is 116. A total of 96 competitors from 22 nations are attempting the run which equals about five back-to-back marathons. Previous winners have completed all 135 miles in slightly less than 24 hours. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Much of California faces an early season heat wave this week as high pressure over the Southwest expands westward.
Significant heat is expected to be in full effect in Southern California on Tuesday, excluding some coastal areas, the National Weather Service said.
Red flag warnings for fire danger were set to be in effect Monday evening through Wednesday morning along the south Santa Barbara County coast due to gusty winds. Critical fire weather conditions were also expected in southeastern California.
Temperatures will soar well into triple digits in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys by Thursday. Some areas could reach 113 degrees (45 Celsius), forecasters said.
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Interior valleys and mountains of the east and north San Francisco Bay region will also see rising temperatures but onshore flow near the coast should limit heat risks, the weather service said.
