Dangerously hot conditions in Antelope Valley
Southern California is getting a belated blast of summer with temperatures expected to sharply rise over the next few days, creating dangerously hot conditions in many areas into next week.
Much of the Southland is under an excessive heat warning with dangerously hot conditions and temperatures up to 123 expected in Southern California deserts, according to NWS. Inland valleys, mountains and deserts in Los Angeles, San Diego and Riverside counties will remain under an extreme heat advisory for the next week.
"An upper level ridge of high pressure will begin to build over the region, bringing a warming and drying trend away from the coast," according to the National Weather Service. "A significant heat event with elevated fire weather conditions is forecast for areas away from the coast from mid week into next weekend."
Temperatures on Monday were in the 80s and 90s in valley areas, but those temperatures began rising Tuesday as the high pressure began building and the marine layer diminished. Things were sizzling by Thursday when many areas away from the coast were slammed with temperatures in the triple digits, forecasters said.
According to the seven-day forecast by the National Weather Service (NWS), temperatures are expected to peak during the weekend, reaching a high of 106 degrees in the San Fernando Valley; highs in the 80s in San Diego; the mid-90s in Temecula; a scorching 121 degrees in Palm Springs; 79 degrees in Newport Beach; 94 in Lake Forest; 77 degrees in Manhattan Beach; 101 degrees in the San Gabriel Valley, and 94 degrees in Hollywood.
On average, this summer started off cooler than previous years with traditionally hot areas sitting five degrees below their average high temperatures in June, said NWS spokesperson Casey Oswant.
"People should expect it to be a hot summer," Oswant said.
Officials cautioned residents against engaging in any strenuous activities outdoors during the hottest parts of the day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Due to the late start to the summer, Oswant said people might be underprepared to deal with hotter temperatures, which could lead more easily to heat exhaustion and heat strokes. Officials said people should stay hydrated.
The NWS said long-range guidance suggests that the heat will continue to build and could spell danger for the power grid. Officials recommended residents ensure their home is prepared for a prolonged period of high heat.
"Such a stretch would likely be quite dangerous since the diminished ability for cooling would likely increase the incidents of heat-related illnesses," NWS said.
