90-Year Heat Record Shattered Amid Triple-Digit Heat Wave

LOS ANGELES, CA — Heat records fell across the Southland Saturday, but just as quickly as the first major heat wave of the year arrived, it will disappear again, leaving May Gray and drizzle in its wake.

The high temperatures Saturday shattered at least seven longstanding heat records in Los Angeles, but a dramatic cooldown will start on Mother's Day, dropping by roughly 30 degrees by Tuesday when light rain is expected, according to the National Weather Service.

The mercury topped 100 degrees in the San Fernando Valley where the daytime high reached 103 degrees in Woodland Hills, topping the record of 99 degrees for the date set in 1988. The high on Saturday reached 99 degrees in Downtown Los Angeles, breaking the record set in 1934 when the high was 95 degrees.

Though it packed a punch, the heatwave was expected to be short-lived. In Woodland Hills, where Saturday's high reached 103, Sunday's high is forecast to be 95 degrees, and by Tuesday, the high is expected to be 69 degrees amid a slight chance of rain. That is a 34-degree swing in just three days.

A heat advisory was in effect through at least 9 p.m. Saturday for the Santa Clarita Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley. Forecasters warned of a heightened risk of heat illness for sensitive populations, such as the very young, the very old and people without air conditioning.

"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the NWS advised. "Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke."

One person suffered heat exhaustion Saturday while hiking in the Hollywood Hills and had to be hospitalized. Firefighters and paramedics dispatched at 11:11 a.m. to 3824 Mount Lee Drive conducted a hoist operation to extraction the man from the location, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported.

In Orange County, the Southern Section Division 3 track and field prelims at Yorba Linda High School were paused due to extreme heat as the mercury reached 97 degrees, according to Rich Gonzalez, editor of PrepCalTrack. The meet resumed at 5 p.m., Gonzalez wrote on social media.

In Long Beach, Southern California Edison reported that more than 5,300 customers were still without power in the early afternoon from an outage reported about 9:10 a.m. Power was restored to about 2,400 customers just before 6 p.m. but more than 2,900 were still without power due to an equipment problem that required repair.

At Santa Anita Park, heat protocols were in place for the second consecutive day, including ice buckets and hoses throughout the grounds. "Additionally, riders will be legged up in the saddling barn, horses will go directly to the track and post parades will be shortened," track officials said.

Temperatures were expected to drop into the 80s on Sunday before a more substantial cooling trend sets in for the rest of the week and into next weekend.

"The high-pressure ridge will shift east late Saturday into Sunday allowing cooler air from the ocean to surge inland," according to the NWS. "The timing of this surge will determine how much temperatures drop on Sunday."

Some temperatures could still reach the 90s on Sunday in the valleys.

The Pasadena Fire Department urged residents to take precautions at home to prevent fires in dried vegetation in the aftermath of January's deadly Eaton Fire. People were urged to trim vegetation around their homes, remove dry brush, dead trees and anything that can catch fire within 100 feet of the homes and 10 feet of roadways.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.