LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Record-breaking heat will persist across Southern California today, with L.A. County temperatures up to 18 degrees above normal, and forecasters issued a heat advisory for the L.A. County coast.
“The combination of strong high pressure and weak onshore flow will continue to produce dangerously hot temperatures across the region through at least the end of the week and possibly into the Labor Day weekend,'' according to a National Weather Service statement.
It said the warmest temperatures would be in the valleys and the mountains at lower elevations and added that warm temperatures will also hit coastal areas, which are expected to reach the mid 90s this week.
An excessive heat warning will be in effect from 1 p.m. today until 10 p.m. Friday in the Antelope Valley, where forecasters said highs are expected to range from 102 to 110 degrees while lows run from the mid 70s to lower 80s. Similar temperatures are expected at lower elevations in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains, the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys, and inland Orange County, where an excessive heat warning will also be in effect.
A less severe heat advisory will be in effect until 10 p.m. Friday along the Orange and Los Angeles County coasts, including beach cities, plus metropolitan L.A. and the Hollywood Hills. Temperatures in those areas are expected to range from the upper 80s to mid 90s.
The high heat is creating an elevated risk of wildfire, but the absence of high winds over long stretches of the day means that red flag conditions likely will not be reached, even though humidity levels during the day will be relatively low at between 10 and 20 percent, said NWS meteorologist Curt Kaplan.
Forecasters urged area residents to protect themselves from the heat by scheduling arduous outdoor activities for the early morning or evening hours, wearing light-colored and light weight clothing, drinking plenty of water, checking on friends and neighbors, especially the elderly, and by never leaving children, seniors or pets in parked vehicles.
Sunny skies were forecast in L.A. County, along with highs of 73 in Avalon; 81 at LAX; 91 in Long Beach; 94 in Downtown L.A.; 99 on Mount Wilson; 100 in San Gabriel; 101 in Burbank; 102 in Pasadena; 105 in Palmdale; 106 in Lancaster; 109 in Saugus; and 111 in Woodland Hills.
Sunny skies were also forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 78 in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach; 79 in San Clemente; 95 in Irvine; 96 in Anaheim; 98 in Mission Viejo; 99 in Fullerton; and 101 inn Yorba Linda.
Temperatures will be 9 degrees above normal today in downtown L.A., 10 degrees above normal in Lancaster, and 18 degrees above normal in Woodland Hills, Kaplan said. They'll begin a slow retreat on Friday.