Excessive Heat Is Threatening These Vacation Hotspots Right Now

Updated: September 12, 2024 by Dan Myers

It’s going to be a long, hot summer. From the Northeast to the Southwest, millions of Americans are sweating it out as a heatwave grips large swaths of the nation. Unfortunately for many people who are planning on traveling to take a vacation soon, lots of vacation hotspots are facing excessive heat right now.

Currently, dangerous levels of heat – the National Weather Service classifies a heat level as “dangerous” when the heat index is between 103 and 125 degrees – are forecast for large areas of the South, West, and Midwest. About 32.9 million people, or about 10 percent of the population of the contiguous United States, are currently facing down dangerous heat levels.

The heat index, which takes both humidity and temperature into account, is the measure of how hot it really feels outside. And that dangerous heat index only accounts for being in the shade – when you’re in the sun, it can feel up to 15 degrees warmer.

If you’re someplace where it’s very hot out (and the odds are high you are right now), the National Weather Service recommends that you make sure to drink plenty of water, avoid being in direct sunlight if you can, and try to spend as much time possible indoors, in a cool room if possible. It’s also recommended that you check in on relatives and neighbors, especially if they’re elderly or live alone.

To determine the vacation hotspots being threatened by excessive heat, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on current weather warnings and advisories from the NOAA’s National Weather Service. Cities whose land area fall at least 50% within the boundaries of an NWS excessive heat warning as of July 11, 2024 were ordered by maximum observed temperature during the period July 1-8, 2024. Temperature data is from the NOAA’s nClimGrid-Daily program and was aggregated from the census tract level to the place level using boundary definitions from the U.S. Census Bureau’s TIGER/Line shapefiles program. Only cities where at least 15% of the housing stock is vacant for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use – a proxy for vacation activity – with at least 1,000 residents were considered. Population and vacancy status data is from the Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey.

If you’re planning on taking a vacation to any of the below places, we recommend you pack plenty of light clothes – and a good hat and sunblock. Or you might want to consider just taking a road trip in your state instead.

56. Pine Mountain Lake, CA

A hot wave, also known as a heatwave, occurs when temperatures soar significantly above the average for a prolonged period, often leading to health risks, power outages, and increased wildfire hazards

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 92.7°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 73.2°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 46.7%
Total population: 3,038

55. Pioche, NV

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 96.3°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 74.4°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 21.8%
Total population: 1,111

54. Oakhurst, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 99.1°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 78.7°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 19.5%
Total population: 5,003

53. Dunsmuir, CA

Castle Crags in beautiful Dunsmuir, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 102.0°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 76.4°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 24.8%
Total population: 1,756

52. Julian, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 102.8°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 78.9°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 19.5%
Total population: 1,377

51. Lewiston, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 103.3°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 78.7°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 20.4%
Total population: 2,218

50. Beaver Dam, AZ

Rock formations in the Virgin River Gorge in NW Arizona

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 103.6°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 84.0°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 27.8%
Total population: 2,013

49. Tubac, AZ

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 104.6°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 85.9°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 19.0%
Total population: 1,375

48. Douglas City, CA

High temperature sun yellow sky tree silhouette view. Heat waves in environment.

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 105.2°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 80.0°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 18.7%
Total population: 1,103

47. Forest Meadows, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 105.2°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 85.4°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 30.6%
Total population: 1,485

46. Pine Mountain Club, CA

sawmill peak post camp fire, covered in light snow.

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 105.3°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 83.0°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 48.6%
Total population: 2,195

45. Auberry, CA

Fresno county blossom trail 2021 spring

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 105.3°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 83.3°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 18.8%
Total population: 3,032

44. Willow Creek, CA

Sun Lit Shot of the Willow Creek bike trail Folsom CA, January 2021

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 105.6°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 78.3°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 25.2%
Total population: 1,371

43. Red Corral, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 106.2°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 85.2°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 18.7%
Total population: 1,271

42. Berry Creek, CA

The beautiful, picturesque Silver Falls on Berry Creek Trail, in the Coastal Redwood forest in Big Basin State Park, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 107.1°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 85.3°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 23.7%
Total population: 1,006

41. Green Valley, AZ

Typical homes in Green Valley Arizona, a retirement community in Pima County

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 107.4°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 88.5°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 17.1%
Total population: 20,937

40. Lake Don Pedro, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 107.7°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 86.9°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 15.6%
Total population: 1,215

39. Bodfish, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 75.6%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 107.8°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 85.8°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 16.2%
Total population: 2,320

38. Murphys, CA

Trail through a forest painted in fall colors, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, California

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 108.6°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 87.8°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 22.4%
Total population: 2,022

37. Lake Isabella, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 79.1%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 109.0°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 87.0°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 24.4%
Total population: 3,514

36. Wofford Heights, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 85.1%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 109.2°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 87.5°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 26.7%
Total population: 2,267

35. Borrego Springs, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 109.8°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 88.2°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 39.9%
Total population: 2,946

34. North Lakeport, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 109.9°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 84.6°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 19.1%
Total population: 2,666

33. Homestead Valley, CA

Wooden Pathway at Oak Glen Preserve at San Bernardino County, California. Selective Focus.

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.1°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 89.3°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 26.4%
Total population: 2,546

32. Joshua Tree, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.2°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 89.1°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 21.1%
Total population: 6,751

31. Talmage, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.3°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 83.3°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 21.7%
Total population: 1,031

30. Gold Canyon, AZ

View of Dinosaur mountain in Gold Canyon Az at dusk

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.5°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 91.6°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 20.3%
Total population: 11,565

29. Clearlake Oaks, CA

Clearlake Oaks, Ca. Lake Country Hwy-20

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.5°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 86.3°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 25.6%
Total population: 2,074

28. Copperopolis, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 110.8°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 89.2°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 18.3%
Total population: 3,819

27. Carefree, AZ

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 111.7°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 92.6°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 21.1%
Total population: 3,671

26. Palm Springs, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 86.7%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 112.1°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 90.0°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 27.8%
Total population: 44,935

25. Camanche North Shore, CA

Sunset shot of boat launched on shore at Camanche Reservoir in Amador County, California.

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 112.2°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 88.7°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 17.1%
Total population: 1,106

24. Meadview, AZ

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 113.0°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 93.9°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 34.0%
Total population: 1,629

23. Rancho Mirage, CA

Share of city under excessive heat advisory: 100.0%
Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 114.0°F
Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 92.5°F
Housing units dedicated to seasonal use: 35.8%
Total population: 17,257

22. Florence, AZ

An Arizona Copper Basin Railway freight train near the ghost town of Cochran, in Pinal County, with desert mountains, cacti, and plants behind it, near Florence, Mesa, Phoenix, Oro Valley, and Tucson.