Heat Records Shatter Across Los Angeles County, Worse Heat To Come

LOS ANGELES, CA — Parts of Los Angeles County reached a searing 118 degrees over the long holiday weekend, and heat records continue to fall amid the prolonged heatwave. Temperatures are expected to heat up again as the week wears on with an Excessive Heat warning in place Tuesday through Thursday across much of the region.

The National Weather Service extended its extreme heat warnings, including a high danger of heat-illness and wildfires.

On Sunday, Palmdale and Lancaster both set record highs for Sunday's date, according to the National Weather Service. Palmdale recorded a high of 114 degrees, shattering the record of 110 set in 1989, while Lancaster's 115 degrees broke the record of 110 set in 1989 and 2017.

Lancaster's 115 degree temperature also set the record high for July, breaking the old mark of 114 set on July 18, 1960, and July 19, 1960.

It also tied a record high of 115 degrees set on June 30, 2013. The record for most consecutive days above 110 since 1945 was set in Lancaster.

It was 101 in Sandberg on Sunday, breaking the record for the day of 100 set in 2018.

The heat wave peaked on Friday and Saturday. According to the National Weather Service, the temperature reached 118 degrees in Saugus by early Friday afternoon.

"This is a dangerous situation with all the ingredients for a high risk of heat illness and fast-growing fires," according to the NWS. "Please avoid hiking in the mountains and the hills through this weekend, make plans on how you will stay cool in the afternoon and evening hours, and stay away from anything that could spark a fire."

The extreme heat wave "will continue across the region, especially the interior, through much of [this] week," according to the NWS. "High temperatures will reach 105 to 115 across interior valleys, mountains and deserts."

An excessive heat warning was extended until at least 9 p.m. Thursday for the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors, the western San Gabriel Mountains, San Gabriel foothills, the Antelope Valley and the Angeles Crest Highway, the Santa Clarita Valley, Calabasas, Agoura Western San Fernando Valley and the Santa Susana Mountains, including Northridge, Lake Castaic, Chatsworth, Woodland Hills, Van Nuys, Malibu, Newhall, and Westlake Village.

Temperatures are expected to soar well over 100 degrees.

The NWS issued a red flag warning about potential critical fire danger conditions for the western Antelope Valley foothills and the 5 Freeway corridor in northern L.A. County.

"Onshore flow will likely be on the increase ... through Monday, which may lead to increasing southwest to west winds across portions of the interior and possible red flag warning extensions in some areas," forecasters said.

"This is a dangerous situation with all the ingredients for a high risk of heat illness and fast-growing fires. Please avoid hiking in the mountains and the hills through this weekend, make plans on how you will stay cool in the afternoon and evening hours, and stay away from anything that could spark a fire."

As always during the summer, Southland beaches will offer the most relief, with coastal areas expected to stay in the upper 70s and low 80s.

Forecasters said humidity levels in some areas could drop as low as 6% to 12%, combining with the heat and potential winds gusting from 25 to 40 mph, dramatically raising the risk of rapid wildfire spread if flames erupt.

Authorities reminded the public to never leave pets or children inside vehicles on days that are even a little warmer than normal, as locked cars can turn into death traps in mere minutes.

The city and county of Los Angeles both operate cooling centers for people who need a place to escape the heat. To find a location, visit ready.lacounty.gov/heat/ or call 211.

The city of Los Angeles is operating four "augmented" cooling centers that will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through at least Monday. The centers are located at:

-- Fred Roberts Recreation Center, 4700 Honduras St., Los Angeles;

-- Mid Valley Senior Center, 8825 Kester Ave., Panorama City;

-- Lake View Terrace Recreation Center, 11075 Foothill Blvd.; and

-- Jim Gilliam Recreation Center, 4000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles.

City officials also noted that climate stations are available for the homeless on Skid Row, offering cold beverages, shade and seating. The stations are on Towne Street between Fifth and Sixth streets; and at San Pedro Street between Sixth and Seventh streets. Another station will be open by July 16 at Fifth and Maple streets.

The homeless can also visit the ReFresh Spot, 544 Towne Ave. The facility is open 24 hours a day, providing drinking water, restrooms, showers and laundry facilities.

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