Southern California is expected to see its hottest days of the year this week, when a blistering heat wave will send temperatures soaring above 100 degrees in some areas.
Temperatures are expected to climb gradually over the next couple of days, peaking on Wednesday and Thursday before dropping back to more normal summertime levels heading into next weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
A heat advisory remained in place Sunday and Monday, and an extreme heat watch has been issued for most areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties from Tuesday morning through Thursday evening. The NWS said those extreme heat watches “will almost certainly become warnings on Tuesday for most areas except possibly along the immediate coast and continuing through Thursday, though there is a 20-30% chance that warnings will extend to the coast as well.”
Forecasters also said the combination of hot and moderately dry conditions with gusty onshore winds were bringing elevated fire weather conditions across the interior Sunday, and “mixing heights of 10,000 to 15,000 feet today and Monday will also bring an enhanced risk of plume-dominated fire potential over the interior. Even hotter temperatures with enhanced risk of plume-dominated fire potential are possible Tuesday through Thursday.”
Highs are expected to reach triple digits in parts of the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys Wednesday and Thursday, with Wednesday likely seeing the highest numbers.
Forecasters are calling for highs of 87 and 91 degrees in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday and Thursday. In Lancaster, those highs will be 103 and 100, and in Van Nuys, highs of 101 and 95 degrees are expected mid-week.
Overnight lows will generally be in the mid-60s and lower 70s, lingering in the mid-70s in the Antelope Valley.
The NWS added that monsoonal moisture will add to the discomfort, bringing shower and thunderstorm potential each day, highest in the mountains.
Authorities advise people to prevent heat-related health effects by drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, staying out of the sun during the warmest times of the day, taking shelter in air-conditioned spaces if possible and checking up on at-risk friends, relatives and neighbors.
Children and pets should never be left in a parked vehicle even with the windows cracked, as temperatures can heat up to deadly levels within minutes.