The already hot weather of southern California will reach even more sweltering heights over the weekend, as a longer heat wave sends temperatures that are 5 to 10 degrees above normal and keep firefighters in the entire region informed.
Those extra taps on the thermometer occur at a time of year when temperatures are already typically at their peak, prompting forecasters to warn residents to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from the dangerous heat conditions.
“People need to take it really seriously,” said Kathy Hoxsie, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “Drink plenty of water. Find shade.”
In light of the heat wave – and the expectation that Californians will respond to the AC in response – the California Independent System Administrator has also issued a statewide flexalarm, urging residents to conserve electricity between 3 and 10 a.m. Friday to put pressure on the power to reduce roaster.
While high temperatures are always worrying about fire in Southern California, Hoxsie said wind is expected to be calm – welcome news for crews who have already been busy fighting winds this week. The Lake fire that burned north of Santa Clarita burned more than 11,000 acres and contained 12%, while the Ranch 2 fire at Azusa burned more than 3,000 acres without containing it.
“High temperatures, low humidity mean that fires will certainly start more often, but it’s the winds that really drive them,” she said. “So, as long as the wind stays low, whatever they are, the conditions are not extreme.”
However, virtually no stretch of the South will be spared from conditions that Hoxsie said “hot, hot and hot.”
“We expect the heat to continue through the weekend and into new week, likely on Monday, Tuesday, will pick up,” she said. “We have too many warnings for the Antelope Valley by Tuesday night and Monday for the inland valleys.”
The Los Angeles County coast, as well as downtown, is under less severe heat advice until Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.
As of Friday, highs for the coming days are expected to vary largely between 100 and 110 degrees in the Dellingen Antelope, Santa Clarita, San Gabriel and San Fernando, according to Hoxsie.
The Inland Empire and high desert will also see their mercury peak in the mid to high 100s. The Coachella Valley and interior deserts will become even harder, with some areas expected to approach or reach 120.
Even after the initial peak of the heatwave, forecasters said that hot conditions will persist through much of new week.
“Unfortunately, the heat is not losing its grip and we can expect temperatures to rise again by the middle of next week,” Bruno Rodriguez, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in San Diego, said in a video conference Thursday. “The extended nature of this heat is particularly concerning, of course, the cumulative effects of so many days of temperatures above average will certainly act to increase the overall heat risk.”
Officials said residents should take care to drink plenty of water, stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible, reduce physical outdoor activities and wear loose, light clothing during the heat wave.
Due to the fires of Lake and Ranch 2, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoking advice for the Santa Clarita and San Gabriel Valleys on Friday. It warned older adults, children and people with heart and lung disease to stay indoors. Pets must also be brought inside.
Meanwhile, LA County opened a number of emergency cooling centers Friday to help residents beat the heat.
“Providing free emergency care is an important service to keep vulnerable members of the public safe and healthy during hot waves,” said Kevin McGowan, director of the county Office of Emergency Management, in a statement.
Centers will act in accordance with COVID-19 safety criteria, officials said, and are open at the following locations:
Valleydale Park
5525 N. Lark Ellen Ave. in Azusa
Friday through Sunday, 12 to 8 p.m.
Good Vista Library
300 N. Buena Vista St. in Burbank
Friday through Monday 12 to 6 p.m.
Canoga Park Senior Center
7326 Jordan Ave. in Canoga Park
Friday through Monday 12 to 8 p.m.
Claremont Library
208 N. Harvard Ave. in Claremont
Friday through Sunday, 12 to 8 p.m.
Grace T. Black Auditorium
3130 Tyler Ave. in El Monte
Friday and Saturday 12 to 6 p.m.
Griffith Manor Park
1551 Flower St. in Glendale
Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pacific Community Center
501 S. Pacific Ave. in Glendale
Saturday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pecan Recreation Center
145 S. Pecan St. in Los Angeles
Friday through Monday 12 to 8 p.m.
Salazar Park
3864 Whittier Blvd. in Los Angeles
Friday through Sunday, 12 to 8 p.m.
Slauson Recreation Center
5306 Compton Ave. in Los Angeles
Friday through Monday 12 to 8 p.m.
Quartz Hill Library
5040 W. Avenue M-2 in Quartz Hill
Friday through Sunday, 12 to 8 p.m.
Las Palmas Park
505 S. Huntington St. in San Fernando
Friday through Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m.
Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center
5056 Van Nuys Blvd. in Sherman Oaks
Friday through Monday 12 to 8 p.m.
Stevenson Ranch Library
25950 The Old Road in Stevenson Ranch
Friday through Sunday, 12 to 8 p.m.
Topanga Library
122 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga
Friday through Sunday, 12 to 8 p.m.
