Temperatures are expected to ease slightly across the Southland Saturday following a record-setting heat wave, but forecasters warned conditions will remain well above normal.
“Heat risk will decrease for the weekend, with minor cooling. Even with the cooling, temperatures will remain above average into next week,” according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters also warned of patchy dense fog along the coast and coastal waters, particularly in the morning hours, as a shallow marine layer returns.
“Weakening high pressure aloft and strengthening onshore flow will bring 4 to 8 degrees of cooling Saturday,” the NWS said. “That will be most noticeable for locations west of the mountains, but even the deserts will cool 3 to 5 degrees.”
The heat wave that began intensifying on Monday saw record temperatures over several 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 offered all city libraries and recreation centers as cooling centers this week.
Los Angeles County also operates numerous cooling centers, including libraries, recreation centers, pools and splash pads. Locations can be found 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, NWS forecasters said.