Worst Heatwave In Years Broils SoCal; LA Could Reach 118 Degrees

LOS ANGELES, CA — Southern California is broiling under an extended extreme heat wave the likes of which Southlanders haven't experienced in years.

The late-summer heatwave is expected to stretch into the weekend, reaching deadly temperatures and elevating the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Temperatures in the San Fernando Valley could reach a whopping 118 degrees and Orange County foothills will top 104 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. It's been years since Southern California experienced such a prolonged spell this hot.

During such heatwaves it is not uncommon for rescue crews to be called out to help hikers and cyclists who ignored warnings against exercising outdoors in the extreme heat.

"There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for anyone, especially for the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors," the National Weather Service warned. "Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes."

Residents can find the nearest cooling center by calling 311 in Los Angeles County and by calling 211 in Orange County. Such temperatures can be deadly for outdoor and warehouse workers. A Postal carrier in the San Ferndando Valley died on her route in 2018 when temperatures reached 117 degrees.

SEE ALSO:

• Woodland Hills Postal Carrier Dies In Heat Wave
  
• Hiker Dies Of Heat Exposure In Death Valley
• Mountain Biker Dies Helping to Rescue Hikers In Extreme Heat
• RivCo: 6 Dead from Heat-Related Complications This Month
• Man Who Died Counting Bighorn Sheep In Borrego Heat ID'd

The weather service extended its extreme heat warning through Monday night as dangerously hot temperatures are expected to linger from the coast to the desert.

"The hot temperatures lived up to their billing today and then some as light offshore flow in the morning combined with extremely hot temperatures aloft to roast most of southern California in triple-digit heat," according to the National Weather Service. "Only the immediate coastal areas were spared the extreme heat, though even there temperatures were 5-10 degrees above normal."

Forecasters noted that the heat wave "is coinciding exactly with the extreme heat wave in 2020, so while we may not break a lot of records with this event, it doesn't diminish the impacts or lessen the precautions that need to be taken to stay safe. Do not do any hiking or other physical activities except very early in the day and even then use extreme caution and stay well- hydrated..

The combination of high heat and anticipated low humidity prompted the NWS to issue a red flag warning of heightened fire danger for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, San Gabriel Mountains, Western Antelope Valley Foothills and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors until 10 p.m. Saturday.

Forecasters said wind conditions will "limit the potential for classic red flag criteria," however, "there is a history of large fires with similar weather conditions during this time of the year."

According to the NWS, humidity levels could drop to between 8 and 15% in the red flag areas, with little recovery during overnight hours. Meanwhile, temperatures will be soaring well into the triple digits.

An excessive heat warning was also extended through 8 p.m. Monday in the Santa Clarita Valley, the inland coastal area stretching into downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, eastern San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, San Gabriel Valley, and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors.

Forecasters said those areas could reach 112 degrees.

The Santa Ana Mountains and foothills and Orange County inland areas were also under excessive heat warnings until 8 p.m. Monday, with temperatures predicted up to 105 degrees.

Even coastal areas will not be immune from the heat. An excessive heat warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Monday for the Malibu Coast and Los Angeles County beaches, along with the Palos Verdes Hills, with some of those areas possibly reaching 96 degrees, according to the NWS.

The Antelope Valley and Antelope Valley foothills will be under an excessive heat warning until 8 p.m. Saturday, with 110-degree heat expected.

A less severe heat advisory will be in place for Orange County coastal areas until 8 p.m. Monday. Temperatures there are anticipated as high as 95 degrees.

"The hottest days with this event are expected to be Friday and Saturday in most areas, and of those two days Friday has the slight edge of being the peak day," according to the NWS. "Overnight night lows will be warming up as well, especially in the foothills and lower mountain locations where some areas may stay in the 90s much of the night. Not quite as hot overnight for coast and valleys, but even there some warmer valley areas will stay above 80 until well into the overnight hours."

A cooling trend is expected to begin by Saturday, slowly lowering temperatures over the ensuing days, reaching normal levels by about Wednesday of next week, according to the NWS.

Due to the high heat, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an ozone advisory that will be in place until 8 p.m. Friday due to anticipated elevated smog levels because of the heat wave. The ozone level is expected to reach the unhealthy level or worse in the Santa Clarita Valley and portions of the San Gabriel Valley through Friday, according to the AQMD.

Officials warned the public to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air- conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Residents were also urged to never leave children or pets in unattended vehicles, which can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

The hot, dry weather will also create elevated fire conditions across the mountains, valleys and deserts throughout the week

COOLING CENTERS

The operation of cooling centers across the city of Los Angeles will be extended through Monday as the Southland will continue experiencing scorching heat and high temperatures through next week, officials announced Thursday.

L.A.'s Emergency Management Department activated six cooling centers on Tuesday prompted by a late-summer heat wave. Nearly 400 people have made use of the centers, according to Joseph Riser, a spokesman for the department.

Residents can find shelter from the heat at the following locations from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.:

-- Lincoln Heights Senior Citizen Center, located at 2323 Workman St.;

-- Lafayette Multipurpose Community Center, located at 625 South Lafayette Park Place;

-- Sunland Senior Citizen Center, located at 8640 Fenwick St.;

-- Mid Valley Senior Citizen Center, located at 8801 Kester Ave,;

-- Fred Roberts Recreation Center, located at 4700 South Honduras St.; and

-- Jim Gilliam Recreation Center, located at 4000 S. La Brea Ave.

Additionally, other recreation and parks facilities and more than 70 L.A. City Public Library branches are available as cooling centers during regular hours.

On Sunday, the city will activate the Chinatown Branch Library, located at 639 N. Hill St., and the Pacoima Branch Library, located at 13605 Van Nuys Blvd., as two dedicated cooling centers from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. With extreme heat events forecasted until next week, most regional branch libraries offer Sunday afternoon hours as well, such as the Central, Arroyo Seco, Expo Park, Hollywood, Mid-Valley, North Hollywood, Robertson, West L.A. and West Valley locations.

City park facilities are pet-friendly when activated as cooling centers, according to the Emergency Management Department. Dogs must be on a leash and accompanied by their owners at all times. Kennels can be provided upon request.

At libraries, only service animals are allowed in, according to the department.

If the operation of cooling centers are extended any further, the department will share information and notify residents on its social media accounts, @ReadyLA, via X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Nextdoor.

Earlier this summer, beginning on July 3, the department activated its cooling centers for 19 days, helping nearly 2,200 Angelenos and dozens of animals stay safe from the heat. Even more people found respite from the heat at parks and libraries, according to Riser.