LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A heat wave will roll into the Southland today, bringing a potentially dangerous measure of heat.
The National Weather Service has issued a excessive heat warning from 10 a.m. today through 8 p.m. Tuesday, NWS Meteorologist Kathy Hoxsie said.
“Summer is the main reason” for the heat, Hoxsie said, pointing out that the last 10 days of July and the first 10 days of August rank among the hottest of the year.
High pressure usually sits over Arizona and Southern California in the summer, shifting from Arizona to California and back, and this week it will be over Southern California, she said.
Sometimes the pressure just expands and both areas are affected, according to Hoxsie.
Hotter weather tends to be more dry, which increases fire danger and the cool down has more humidity as a trade-off, Hoxsie said.
On Sunday, a high of 89 was recorded in Downtown L.A., 79 at LAX, 91 in Long Beach and Burbank, 99 in Pomona, 100 in Woodland Hills, 102 in Lancaster and 103 in Palmdale, Hoxsie said. Today's highs will include 95 downtown, 83 at LAX, 92 in Long Beach, 100 in Burbank, 108 in Woodland Hills, 105 in Pomona, 105 in Lancaster and 104 in Palmdale, Hoxsie said. Coastal areas will average 83 degrees.
Tuesday is forecast to be the hottest day with 97 degrees downtown, 86 at LAX, 94 in Long Beach, 102 in Burbank, 110 in Woodland Hills, and 107 in Pomona, Lancaster and Palmdale, Hoxsie said. It could be 86 degrees in coastal area.
Weather models indicate temperatures will begin to drop a few degrees Wednesday but Hoxsie said it could remain warm instead and drop off Thursday.
The weather service and law enforcement caution that those who work outdoors should avoid the midday sun, wear light, loose-fitting clothing and drink plenty of water.
Avoid leaving senior citizens and kids at home without air conditioning, if possible. And never leave a child, a senior or a pet in a parked vehicle, even with windows cracked open, because interior temperatures in vehicles parked in the heat quickly can turn lethal.