Temperatures will climb into triple digits in parts of Southern California Wednesday as this week’s heat reaches its peak.
The warmest weather of the season will bring heat warnings, heightened wildfire risk and the potential for record high temperatures.
“There’s going to be a high risk for heat illness and a high UV index, so please practice that heat safety,” said NBCLA forecaster Belen De Leon.
An extreme heat warning took effect at 10 a.m. Tuesday for much of Los Angeles County and will remain in place through 8 p.m. Thursday. The warning is for the valleys, mountains and inland portions of the coastal plain, where temperatures are expected to range from the 90s to as high as 110 degrees Wednesday and Thursday.
A heat advisory will remain in effect through Thursday evening for coastal areas, including Los Angeles County beaches and the Palos Verdes Hills, where temperatures could still climb well into the 80s and 90s.
An extreme heat warning will also be in place for inland Orange County areas from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Thursday, with a heat advisory in place during the same time frame for Orange County coastal areas.
Lingering monsoonal moisture will increase humidity levels and make conditions feel even more uncomfortable. That moisture could also lead to rain and possibly thunderstorms in the mountains and Antelope Valley.
A red flag warning indicating critical fire danger will be in place from noon Wednesday through 9 a.m. Thursday for the 5 Freeway corridor in Los Angeles County.
Overnight temperatures will offer little relief with lows in the lower 70s in many communities.
“Tomorrow, the risk for heat illness will continue, but we’re not seeing the heat as extreme,” De Leon said.
Temperatures are expected to gradually ease heading into the weekend as onshore flow strengthens and cloud cover increases, although conditions are expected to remain above normal through at least Friday.
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!