Los Angeles Braces For Dangerous Heat Wave

LOS ANGELES, CA — The first heat wave of the summer will wash over the Southland this weekend, sending temperatures into triple-digit territory amid an elevated danger of wildfire.

The National Weather Service has issuing an excessive heat watch from Friday morning through Saturday evening, and Friday's temperatures are expected to break records in many cities and triple-digit temperatures sticking around Saturday before dropping around 10-12 degrees Sunday and into Monday.

The heat watch will be in effect along the Central Coast, in Ventura County, in Orange County and in all of L.A. County, including beach cities, metropolitan L.A., the Downtown area and the Hollywood Hills, all valley areas, and both the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains.

Wednesday's high in downtown Los Angeles was 83. That's expected to go up a couple degrees Thursday before the heat wave begins. The two worst days by far will be Friday and Saturday, when highs are expected to reach at least 102 degrees along the coast, 106 in the mountains, 107 in inland Orange County, and 112 in L.A. County valleys, according to the NWS.

Forecasters also warned that low humidity on Thursday night and Friday could increase the fire risk even more.

The weather service stressed that the type of temperatures create an "increased potential for heat-related illnesses."

"Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside," the NWS statement urged. "When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water."

Especially important is to "never, ever, leave people or pets in enclosed vehicles, even for a short period of time. Temperatures inside vehicles, even if the windows are partially open, can quickly rise to life- threatening levels."

Libraries and municipal facilities such as recreation centers, senior centers and museums can serve as cooling centers for the public during normal hours of operation.

Find your nearest facility at laparks.org/reccenter, laparks.org/scc or lapl.org/branches.

The NWS attributed the forthcoming heat wave to "a strong upper level high pressure system is forecast to expand westward from the Central United States later this week, causing heat to build significantly across Southwestern California."

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock