Triple digits will be felt in parts of Southern California Friday and into the weekend.
Temperatures will rocket into the 90s and triple-digits in some areas, with above-normal temperatures in the forecast through the weekend. The July heat wave is expected to peak on Friday and Saturday, when interior areas might see highs around 110 degrees and highs around 100 are in the forecast for valleys.
"We are reaching the peak of the heat, today is going to be the hottest day and tomorrow will be just as hot and there’s going to be a warning for a very high risk of heat illness for the valleys and Inland Empire where temperatures are going to be well above triple digits, said NBCLA meteorologist Belen de Leon.
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"The risk for heat illness will be high to very high. Time outside should be limited due to the heat and the very poor air quality. The smoke from yesterday's fireworks is causing unhealthy to very unhealthy air away from the coast," said de Leon.
Although temperatures lower a few degrees Sunday through early next week, it's not enough to offer any big relief. Heat alerts will continue through the middle of next week as the area of high pressure restrengthens.
An excessive heat warning will be in effect until 6 p.m. Monday for the 5 and 14 freeway corridors, the western San Gabriel Mountains, the Antelope Valley foothills and the Antelope Valley. Temperatures in the warning area could reach as high as 115 degrees.
An excessive heat warning also will be in effect through Monday evening for the Santa Clarita Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, San Fernando Valley and eastern San Gabriel Mountains, where temperatures up to 110 degrees are possible.
The San Gabriel Valley will be under a less severe heat advisory from through 6 p.m. Sunday, but temperatures there are still expected to reach as high as 105. The Los Angeles coastal area stretching into downtown will be under a heat advisory from 11 a.m. Thursday through 6 p.m. Sunday, with temperatures topping out at 85 to 95 degrees.
The San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys will see highs in the 90s. Downtown Los Angeles will be in the 80s, but could reach 90 degrees Friday and Saturday.
Inland Orange County will similarly be in the 80s, with Anaheim Hills reaching the 90s by mid-week. That area will be under a heat advisory from 11 a.m. Friday through 11 p.m. Saturday, when temperatures of up to 100 degrees are expected.
Parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties also will be under excessive heat warnings as temperatures soar well into the 100s.
Beach hazard statements were issued for Thursday through Sunday, when surf heights will reach 5 to 7 feet with the possibility of strong rip currents.
De Leon said hot and dry conditions will keep fire danger elevated through the weekend, especially through the I-5 corridor. A red flag warning is in effect until Saturday morning.
Southern California wildfire threat
The heat and low humidity will raise the risk for wildfires after a wet winter that left the region's hillsides covered in brush. So far this year, wildfires statewide have burned an estimated 139,590 acres, a staggering increase from last year when fires burned 7,800 acres. The five-year statewide average during that period is 29,700 acres.
A red flag warning, indicating critical wildfire conditions, -will be in effect from 6 p.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Saturday in the western Antelope Valley foothills and the 5 Freeway corridor.
Gusty southwest to northwest winds are expected each afternoon over inland areas. Gusts could reach upward of 35 to 45 mph over the 5 Freeway corridor in northern Los Angeles County, the Antelope Valley and nearby foothills.
Los Angeles cooling centers
The city and county of Los Angeles both operate cooling centers for people who need a place to escape the heat. The city of Los Angeles announced that it will be operating four augmented cooling centers that will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
- Fred Roberts Recreation Center, 4700 Honduras St., Los Angeles
- Mid Valley Senior Center, 8825 Kester Ave., Panorama City
- Lake View Terrace Recreation Center, 11075 Foothill Blvd.
- Jim Gilliam Recreation Center, 4000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles.
