Temperatures will rise today as the Southland remains in the grips of a heat wave expected to continue through Wednesday amid warnings of heat-related illnesses and and a risk of wildfires.
The heat wave is the result of an upper-level high-pressure system combined with weakening onshore flow, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures into the triple digits are expected across the Antelope, Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys as well as in the foothills and the San Gabriel Mountains at lower elevations.
“The prolonged heat wave will likely result in an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for the homeless, elderly, infants and anyone participating in outdoor activities,” an NWS statement warned.
It urged residents to stay well-hydrated, wear lightweight clothing of light colors, stay indoors when temperatures are at their highest, and never leave people or pets in parked vehicles in hot weather, even for a short time. People with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory diseases who live or work in high-heat areas are especially urged to minimize outdoor activities.
The weather service also warned of wildfires, with the NWS issuing a fire weather watch today through Wednesday.
“The combination of hot temperatures, low humidity, and very dry fuels will bring an extended period of elevated fire danger to southwest California through Wednesday,” it said, adding that mountain areas and the foothills will be especially at risk, in part because of bone-dry vegetation.
The NWS forecast sunny skies today and highs in Los Angeles County of 79 in Avalon; 80 at LAX; 89 in downtown L.A.; 90 in Long Beach; 93 on Mount Wilson; 95 in San Gabriel; 97 in Burbank; 99 in Pasadena; 102 in Saugus and Palmdale; 103 in Lancaster; and 105 in Woodland Hills. Sunday’s high in Woodland Hills was 102.
Sunny skies were also forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 79 in Newport Beach; 81 in San Clemente; 83 in Laguna Beach; 91 in Anaheim and Irvine; 94 in Mission Viejo; 95 in Fullerton; and 98 in Yorba Linda.
Temperature will be around three degrees lower Tuesday, stay the same or drop another couple of degrees Wednesday, then remain roughly at the same level for a few days more.
In downtown L.A., for example, the 7-day NWS forecast shows highs of 89 today, 85 Tuesday, 83 Wednesday, 81 Thursday, 79 Friday, 81 Saturday and 82 Sunday. At the same time, Woodland Hills’ highs, 105 today, are forecast to be 101 Tuesday, 97 Wednesday, 94 Thursday, 92 Friday, 94 Saturday and 95 Sunday.
Yorba Linda, currently Orange County’s warmest community, is forecast to have highs of 98 today, 95 Tuesday, 91 Wednesday, 90 Thursday, 88 Friday and Saturday, and 89 Sunday.
