Heat, Thunderstorms Possible In Lake Forest To Mark Start Of Summer

LAKE FOREST, CA — Just in time to welcome the first day of summer, temperatures rose across Southern California on Tuesday, with many regions experiencing muggy, sweltering temperatures upwards of 90 degrees, weather service officials said.

The possibility of thunderstorms and showers were also on the horizon for some areas on Wednesday and Thursday, but forecasters said the storms, which could include dry lightning, would offer little precipitation to quell the state’s severe drought.

"Rainfall totals will be minimal from the setup this week," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr.

Wherever rain falls, it is likely to be less than 0.25 of an inch and may only amount to a few hundredths of an inch, according to AccuWeather.

In Lake Forest, temperatures hovered around 88 degrees on Tuesday and will be around the high-80s for the rest of the week, according to AccuWeather.

Woodland Hills experienced a high of 97 Monday, dropping to 90 Tuesday, 94 Wednesday and 96 Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Pasadena was looking at a high of 93 Monday, 89 Tuesday, 90 Wednesday and 91 Thursday.

The Antelope Valley will see highs in the upper 90s this week, with Lancaster reaching 97 Tuesday, 96 Wednesday and 99 on Thursday, forecasters said.

In inland Orange County, highs were expected to linger in the 80s for the rest of the week.

Forecasters noted the possibility of tropical moisture reaching Los Angeles County by Wednesday, which could result in cumulus buildups in the mountains and a temporary increase in daytime humidity.

Along with the brief monsoonal weather, the potential for fire danger was expected to rise Tuesday night through Wednesday across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the National Weather Service said.

The valleys and mountains were expected to experience wind gusts peaking in the 35 mph to 50 mph range. Low humidity from 8 percent to 18 percent was expected to persist across the mountains and deserts throughout the week.

As usual, during heat waves, forecasters urged people to drink plenty of fluids, seek out air-conditioned spaces and check in on vulnerable relatives and neighbors.

"Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities," according to the NWS.

"Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes."

City News Service contributed to this report.