Think It's Hot Now? Just Wait!

You don't need Patch to tell you it's sizziling outside. The temperature is already in three digitits in Chatsworth, Northridge and Porter Ranch. And beginning Wednesday, we're under an excessive heat watch.

All city buildings, including senior citizen centers, recreation and parks facilities, and libraries have been declared cooling centers where you can go to avoid the heat. Click here for a list of cooling centers throughout the Southland.

City pools will be open through August 12. Click here for a list of aquatic centers. However, there are no plans to extend the swimming season, according to Andrea Epstein, spokesperson for the Department of Recresation & Parks.

The heat wave gripping the region will pack an even greater measure of misery as the week wears on, forecasters said.

Woodland Hills, for example, should hit 106, compared to what would have been a normal 94 said National Weather Service meteorologist Curt Kaplan. 

This week's temperatures are several degrees above normal because of an upper-level high pressure system hovering over Southern California and gaining strength, according to National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters.

Officials at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison each urged customers Tuesday to conserve energy to prevent strain on the power grid.

Edison, which is operating without the benefit of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, stressed that it anticipates having sufficient resources to meet forecast electricity demand during this week's heat wave. But the utility noted that conservation can provide additional reserves that would help in the event of a power emergency.

Both Edison and DWP offered a series of tips to help customers cut back on power usage, including:

• Setting thermostats no lower than 78 degrees;
• Limiting the use of appliances during peak hours, and using washing machines, dishwashers and other heavy appliances only in the evening;
• Close drapes and blinds to keep rooms cool;
• Ventilate homes at night and in the early morning to allow cool air to circulate;
• Limit the opening of refrigerators;
• Turn off lights in unoccupied areas; and
• Rely on ceiling or smaller fans to cool rooms instead of air conditioners.

"The hot air mass will remain in place through at least Thursday, but could linger through Saturday," according to the NWS. But beginning Wednesday, that air mass will be accompanied by monsoonal moisture, creating humidity levels that will make temperatures feel even warmer than what the thermometer says.

Because of the humidity, an excessive heat watch will be in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Friday evening in the San Fernando, San Gabriel and Santa Clarita valley and the mountains of Los Angeles county, including both the San Gabriels and Santa Monicas. It does not take in the coast or normally hot desert areas, such as the Antelope Valley.

"The combination of hot temperatures and increased humidity will create a prolonged period of well above normal and possibly dangerous heat," according to an NWS advisory, which urged the region's residents to stay in air- conditioned places and out of the sun and to remain hydrated to avoid a heat- related illness.

The weather service also urged residents to check on relatives and neighbors during the heat wave and never leave people or pets in a parked car in the heat.

"The possible combination of very hot days and higher-than-normal humidity can result in oppressive conditions," according to an NWS advisory. "Heat stroke or heat exhaustion are possible, especially when engaging in strenuous outdoor activities."

This sort of weather could be "deadly for unprepared campers or hikers," it added.

On Monday, the temperature climbed to 108 in Woodland Hills, matching a record for an August 6 set in 1997, according to the NWS.

The NWS forecast highs Tuesday of 75 in Avalon; 79 at LAX; 80 in Newport Beach; 85 in Long Beach; 89 in downtown L.A.; 94 in Anaheim and on Mount Wilson; 97 in San Gabriel; 99 in Burbank; 104 in Palmdale; 105 in Lancaster; and 106 in Woodland Hills and Saugus.

While most communities are forecast to be sunny, the designation the weather service has for Woodland Hills and Saugus Tuesday through Saturday is "very hot." Woodland Hills is expected to reach a high of 108 on Friday while Saugus is expected to hit 107 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The NWS forecast for the next seven days indicates temperatures will climb another couple of degrees or stay the same over the coming days, reaching their highest levels on Friday before a cooling trend takes hold on on Sunday.

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