Southern California temperatures are expected to remain hotter than normal for the foreseeable future, forecasters said Saturday.
The peak is likely Sunday, followed by slight cooling Monday through Wednesday before the heat revs upward again Thursday and into next weekend.
“The hot daytime and warm night conditions will bring elevated risks for heat illness,” the National Weather Service warned.
Forecasters noted the weather system will also keep temperatures elevated in many areas at night, when people normally get some relief from the heat.
“The combination of above normal daytime highs and overnight lows along with the higher humidities will create a dangerous environment as people’s bodies (those without air conditioning) will be heat stressed day and night with no real recovery period,” according to the NWS. “For all of these reasons heat advisories are in effect through Monday evening.”
A heat advisory covers almost the entire L.A. area, and will remain in force until 8 p.m. Monday.
Forecasters said daytime highs could range from 97 to 107 degrees.
Inland coastal areas, including downtown Los Angeles, will also be under a heat advisory through Monday, with daytime highs potentially reaching 96 degrees, the NWS said.
The Antelope Valley was under an Extreme Heat Warning that will also be in place through 8 p.m. Monday, with highs there expected to range from 100 to 108 degrees.
The city of Los Angeles urged residents to take precautions during the heat event by staying hydrated, seeking shade or air-conditioned buildings and limiting strenuous outdoor activities to the morning or evening hours whenever possible.
People without access to air conditioning were encouraged to seek relief at public libraries, recreation facilities, senior centers or other public buildings.
Information about cooling centers is available by calling 311 or online through the city’s emergency management website at emergency.lacity.gov/heat.
Heat advisories will also be in place until 8 p.m. Monday across Orange County.
A Heat Advisory previously issued for the Riverside and San Bernardino metropolitan areas and the Anza and San Jacinto valleys was changed to an Extreme Heat Warning that will remain in place until 8 p.m. Monday. Triple-digit daytime heat will be the norm throughout the region for at least the next several days.
The prior Extreme Heat Warning posted for the Coachella Valley has not changed, and will also be in effect until Monday evening.
“Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events,” the NWS said in a statement. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms and stay out of the sun.”
Ridges of high pressure settling to the north and east will influence weather patterns into early next week, ratcheting up dry conditions. However, some moisture may also drag into the region due to monsoonal activity in Baja Mexico, generating instability and isolated thunderstorms in and around mountainous areas of the San Gorgonio Pass and lower Coachella Valley, according to prognostication charts.
For Palm Springs, Indio, Rancho Mirage and adjacent spots, daytime highs will climb to at or above 115 for the remainder of the week. Lows will be in the low 90s until Sunday, the NWS said.
In the Riverside and San Bernardino metropolitan areas, temps will be in the low 100s until next Monday. Lows will generally settle in the low to mid 70s now through the weekend.
In the Temecula Valley, highs will rises into the upper 90s over the next few days. Lows will fall into the upper 60s each night, forecasters said.
Forecasters said the prolonged heat wave is expected to continue into early next week in the Inland areas with little day-to-day change in temperatures.
Some Inland cooling is anticipated on Tuesday, but by Wednesday, “highs will still be above normal but only by 3 to 5 degrees.”