Above-normal temperatures will peak this weekend when widespread heat and an air quality advisory will be in effect for Southern California.
Triple-digit temperatures are in the forecast with moderate to high heat health safety risks through Sunday as a high-pressure system drives temperatures to well above normal at the end of July. Temperatures will run 5 to 10 degrees above normal this weekend.
“It’s going to be a hot one,” said NBCLA meteorologist Belen De Leon. “As we head into August, temperatures will remain sizzling.”
Valley and inland areas are expected to see highs well over 100 degrees Friday and Saturday. Areas between the coast and valleys, including downtown Los Angeles, are forecast to reach the upper 80s to mid-90s.
Forecast highs are within a degree or two of daily records in many locations with Saturday offering the greatest chance of setting new records.
Areas such as Acton, Lancaster and Palmdale all topped 100 degrees Thursday. Many valley areas such as Van Nuys and Burbank were in the 90s. Downtown Los Angeles was in the upper-80s late Thursday afternoon.
An extreme heat warning will be in effect through 8 p.m. Sunday for the Antelope Valley and Antelope Valley Foothills, where temperatures of 104 to 114 degrees are possible. In the western San Gabriel Mountains and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors, a heat advisory will be replaced by a more severe extreme heat warning at 10 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Sunday, when highs are expected to range between 95 and 105 degrees.
An extreme heat warning will also be in effect from 10 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Sunday for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys and the Los Angeles inland coastal area, including downtown. Those areas could see dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 95 to 110 degrees.
The eastern San Gabriel Mountains will be under a heat advisory through 8 p.m. Sunday, while Los Angeles County beaches, the Malibu coast and Palos Verdes Hills will be under a heat advisory from 10 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Sunday. All of those areas could see temperatures as high as 100 degrees.
LA County beach warnings
Los Angeles County health officials warned beach visitors to avoid entering the water at three locations because of elevated bacteria levels.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued ocean water use warnings for the following areas.
- Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey, entire swim area
- Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, entire swim area
- Santa Monica Pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier
Health officials said recent water samples showed bacteria levels exceeding state health standards, increasing the risk of illness for swimmers, surfers and others entering the water.
Air quality
An ozone advisory will go into effect Friday. South Coast Air Quality Management District officials warned of unhealthy smog levels to parts of Southern California.
The advisory will take effect at 10 a.m. Friday and remain in place until 8 p.m. Sunday. The Air Quality Index is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category or higher each day through Sunday evening in the interior portions of the South Coast Air Basin, including the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys, and the Saddleback Valley area.
Air quality is forecast to reach the Unhealthy category or worse in Glendora during the advisory period.
Heat safety tips
- Stay hydrated! The more hydrated you are, the more effective your body will be at keeping you cool. Drink water – not fizzy and alcoholic drinks, which will dehydrate you.
- Avoid exercise in the middle of the day. If you need to exercise outside, do it early in the morning when the temperature is lower.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored natural fabrics like cotton and linen, as these will help your skin breathe and let your sweat evaporate, cooling you down.
- We sweat around half a pint daily from both feet (and we wonder why they stink!), so if you can, wear sandals or flip-flops to let your foot sweat evaporate.
- Use a fan to circulate air from open windows. Keep your blinds or curtains drawn during the day, so your home doesn’t heat up while you’re out. Turn off big appliances and help prevent brown-outs!
- To cool down quickly, run your wrists under a cold tap or keep a water spray in the fridge for a quick cooling spritz to the face.
- Keep some wet wipes in your bag so you can freshen up your hands, face and neck if you get hot or clammy.
- Want to stay cool at night? One way is to wash your feet in cool water or take a cold shower before bedtime – especially if you get hot during the night or have hot sweats.
- To cool down in bed, try keeping your pillowcase or sheets in a plastic bag in the fridge during the day. Put them back on the bed at night. The fabric will stay cool when you’re trying to get to sleep.
- And bring your pets in and make sure they have shade and water.
- Be prepared for power outages and know where cooling centers are!
