The Southland’s latest heat wave will peak today, generating triple-digit temperatures in several communities, and high surf will slam the coast, producing perilous rip currents expected to last through much of the weekend, the National Weather Service said.
NWS forecasters warned that the weather will create the risk of heat- related illnesses for residents of the region, especially the homeless, the elderly, infants, and people working or playing outdoors. Hot and dry conditions will also create an “elevated fire danger,” according to the NWS.
The weather service said today’s temperatures will run 15-20 degrees above normal. It forecast sunny skies and highs in Los Angeles County of 86 on Mount Wilson; 87 in Avalon; 90 at LAX; 95 in Palmdale and Lancaster; 98 in Saugus; 99 in downtown L.A. and Long Beach; 101 in San Gabriel; 103 in Pasadena and Burbank; and 105 in Woodland Hills.
An NWS forecast indicated temperatures will drop Saturday — generally three to five degrees — and a few more degrees Sunday. Downtown L.A., with a forecast high of 99 today, is expected to revert to the 80s by Tuesday, then continue cooling down. Woodland Hills, with a high forecast to be 105 today, will return to the 90s Sunday and to the 80s Thursday.
Orange County highs today are expected to be 85 in San Clemente; 88 in Newport Beach; 91 in Laguna Beach; 97 in Irvine and Mission Viejo; 98 in Anaheim; 101 in Fullerton; and 102 in Yorba Linda.
A heat advisory will be in effect throughout Orange County today from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. As of Thursday, it had been issued only for inland areas but now includes Orange County beach communities as well.
Also issued for Orange County was a beach hazard statement, which is less serious than a high surf advisory. It will be in force from late tonight through Saturday evening. Forecasters urged residents to protect themselves and others from the high heat. The weather service’s recommendations included drinking plenty of water, wearing light and light-colored clothing, providing shade to livestock and pets, checking on elderly friends and neighbors, and “never leave any person or pet in a parked vehicle, even for a short time.”
Humidity levels today will run from the low to mid teens, but, given the expected absence of strong winds, except tonight at the Central Coast, red flag warnings are unlikely to be issued in the Southland, forecasters said.
Temperature highs on Thursday, when the heat wave began in earnest as a result of high pressure anchored over the southwestern United States, turned out to be higher than had been forecast. Burbank was the hottest spot in Los Angeles County — a distinction generally claimed by Woodland Hills — with the high at Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport reaching 102 to tie the Burbank record set on Oct. 8 1996.
Forecasters said the heat wave will begin to retreat Saturday, followed by a drop of five to 10 degrees Sunday.
Along the coast, meanwhile, “a moderately long-period swell will bring dangerous rip currents and increased wave activity at area beaches this weekend,” an NWS statement said.
“If you get caught in a rip current, try to conserve your energy and not swim against the current. Try to swim parallel to shore to get out of the current,” it said.
