A record-setting heat wave that has already shattered temperature records across the Southland was expected to continue Friday with another round of dangerously high heat, before conditions begin to cool — slightly — over the weekend.
But while temperatures are anticipated to fall, they will remain “well above normal through next week.”
“Expecting one more day of similar temperatures before the current high pressure system starts shifting into (Arizona) which will initiate a brief cooling trend over the weekend,” according to the National Weather Service. “Most areas except the far interior will experience 5-10 degrees of cooling this weekend, though that still keeps highs 10-20 degrees above normal. A shallow marine layer has begun to form over the coastal waters and many beaches will start out with dense fog the next few days and that will help cool off the coastal areas.”
In the meantime, however, an extreme heat warning will remain in place in most areas until 8 p.m. Friday, with forecasters warning of temperatures reaching as high as 104 in some areas.
A less severe heat advisory will be in place until 8 p.m. Friday in coastal areas, where temperatures in the 80s and 90s are expected.
Forecasters noted that the extended high temperatures will being “a high risk of heat illness for just about everyone.”
The heat wave that began intensifying on Monday has seen record temperatures each of the past four days.
On Thursday, Burbank reached 98 degrees, eclipsing the record for that date of 89 degrees set in 1997. Woodland Hill hit 102 degrees, breaking the record of 96 set in 1997. Palmdale’s 91 degrees bested the record of 90, also set in 1997. Lancaster reached 93 degrees, topping the previous record of 87 set in 2004.
The city of Los Angeles was offering all city libraries and recreation centers as cooling centers this week. A full list of those locations is available at laparks.org/reccenter and lapl.org/branches. The city Department of Recreation and Parks also operates numerous public pools and splash pads, with information also available on the agency’s website.
Extended hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. were being offered at four Los Angeles city facilities for residents and their pets:
— Canoga Park Senior Citizens Center, 7326 Jordan Ave.;
— North Hollywood Senior Citizen Center, 5301 Tujunga Ave.;
— Pecan Recreation Center, 145 S. Pecan St., downtown Los Angeles; and
— Algin Sutton Recreation Center, 8800 S. Hoover St., South Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County also operates numerous cooling centers, including libraries, rec centers, pools and splash pads. Locations are available through an interactive map at ready.lacounty.gov/heat/.
After the slight cooldown on Saturday, temperatures are expected to slowly increase again in inland areas on Sunday and along the coasts on Monday. While next week won’t reach the temperatures seen this week, highs will still be 15 to 20 degrees above normal, according to the NWS.