Triple-digit temperatures were baking both Los Angeles and Orange counties Tuesday, a trend that was expected to continue all week.
A heat advisory was in effect through 8 p.m. Friday for Los Angeles County, while in Orange County, highs reached 102 degrees Tuesday in Anaheim, with the same number forecast for Wednesday.
Tuesday’s high in downtown Los Angeles was 97, and it was expected to hit 100 on Wednesday. Santa Clarita and Van Nuys also recorded temperatures of 100 degrees on Tuesday, with similar numbers expected Wednesday and Thursday.
In Chatsworth, the mercury was expected to reach 104 on Tuesday, 105 on Wednesday, and 106 on Thursday.
“Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur,” the National Weather Service warned. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.”
No red flag warnings were in effect as Santa Ana winds died down early Tuesday. A red flag warning in the San Gabriel Mountains and the Santa Clarita Valley expired around 5 p.m. Monday, but the weather service warned of near-critical fire conditions through Friday amid single-digit humidity levels.
A number of cooling centers are open this week across the city and county of Los Angeles County. The county centers are open from noon to 6 p.m. through Wednesday, and centers are open from noon to 6 p.m. through Friday at Los Angeles city library branches in Eagle Rock, Vernon, Lake View Terrace, North Hills, Sun Valley and Woodland Hills.
Various other communities in the county have cooling centers open, and they can all be viewed at ready.lacounty.gov/heat/.
Social distancing requirements due to the coronavirus pandemic have resulted in reduced capacity at the sites.
Temperatures are expected to decline slightly Friday and more significantly over the weekend.