Hot. Hotter. Not exactly the hottest, but very, very hot.
That’s the forecast for the coming week across Southern California, as temperatures will top 100 degrees in many areas. A late-summer heat wave, expected to last into the weekend, sent temperatures soaring again Thursday and sparking fears of wildfires in some areas.
The days will likely fall short of “hottest on record” status because the heat wave “exactly matches the extreme heat wave of 2020, so while we may not break many records with this event, it does not lessen the impacts or diminish the precautions that should be taken to stay safe,” the National Weather Service said. “Do not engage in hiking or other physical activity except very early in the day and even then use extreme caution and stay well hydrated.”
“All systems are primed for what will be a period of dangerously hot weather through the weekend, and in some areas continuing into next week,” according to NWS meteorologists.
The NWS has issued an excessive heat warning for much of inland areas of Southern California until 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. Coastal regions have a heat warning in effect until 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6.
In the Inland Empire, temperatures are forecast to reach 112 degrees on Friday, Sept. 6 in Riverside and San Bernardino, and 110 in Murrieta and Redlands, according to the National Weather Service.
An excessive heat warning went into effect Tuesday morning in the western San Fernando Valley and will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday, a day longer than originally anticipated. Forecasters said the area could see temperatures reaching 118 degrees.
An excessive heat warning has also been issued until 8 p.m. Saturday for the Santa Clarita Valley, inland coastal areas extending to downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, Calabasas, the eastern San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, the San Gabriel Valley, the Antelope Valley and Antelope Valley Foothills, and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors.
Forecasters said those areas could see temperatures reach 110 degrees.
The Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills and inland areas of Orange County were also under excessive heat warnings, with temperatures forecast to reach 105 degrees.
There won’t be much relief overnight either, with lows forecast to drop into the mid-70s.
Even coastal areas won’t be immune to the heat. An excessive heat warning will go into effect at 11 a.m. Thursday and remain in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday, and temperatures along the Malibu coast and Los Angeles County beaches, along with the Palos Verdes foothills, could reach triple digits, according to the NWS.
A less severe heat advisory will be issued for coastal areas of Orange County from 11 a.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Friday. Temperatures there are expected to reach 95 degrees.
The combination of high heat and low humidity forecast prompted the NWS to issue a red flag warning of enhanced fire danger for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation 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,” but “there is a history of large fires with similar weather conditions during this time of year.”
According to the NWS, humidity levels could drop to between 8 and 15 percent in red flag areas, with little recovery during the overnight hours. Meanwhile, temperatures will soar into the triple digits.
A cooling trend is expected to begin Saturday, slowly lowering temperatures over the next few days and 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 has issued an ozone advisory that will be in effect until 8 p.m. Friday due to the anticipated elevated smog levels due to the heat wave. The ozone level is expected to reach unhealthy levels or worse in the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the San Gabriel Valley through Friday, according to the AQMD.
Authorities warned the public to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and keep an eye on family and neighbors.
Residents were also urged to never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, which can reach lethal temperatures within minutes.
Hot, dry weather will also create elevated fire conditions in the mountains, valleys and deserts throughout the week.
