More dangerously hot conditions scorched much of the Southland Wednesday, continuing a heat wave that has already seen daily temperatures falling daily.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in coastal areas likely peaked on Tuesday, but the heat will intensify in valley and interior areas through Friday, before noticeably falling over the weekend but remaining above normal.
“Like a broken record, the dangerously hot conditions will continue to impact the region through at least Friday,” according to a statement by the NWS. “… Very strong, record breaking high pressure continues to inch to the east this week. While (Wednesday) will see an increase in onshore trends, which will allow the coastal temperatures to decrease a few degrees (but remaining near the 80s and 90s), valleys and mountains will continue to be around 90-104 degrees through Friday. Additionally, warm overnight lows will provide little relief from the heat, especially in the foothill and mountain locations.”
More daily temperature records were set on Wednesday:
— Downtown Los Angeles reached 95 degrees, topping the 1997 record of 87;
— Los Angeles International Airport hit 82 degrees, breaking the 1988 record of 79;
— Long Beach reached 91 degrees, breaking the 1960 record of 86;
— UCLA reached 87 degrees, breaking the 1978 record of 84;
— Burbank measured 97 degrees, breaking the 1978 record of 89;
— Woodland Hills reached 100 degrees, breaking the 1997 record of 92;
— Palmdale reached 92 degrees, topping the 1997 record of 84; and
— Lancaster reached 93 degrees, topping the 2004 record of 85.
The temperatures reached in Palmdale and Lancaster were the highest ever recorded in March in those areas.
An extreme heat warning took effect at 10 a.m. Tuesday across most of the Southland and will remain in place 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.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday urged residents to prepare for the high heat.
“As a former nurse and a physician assistant, I know first-hand that this heat is something to treat extremely seriously, and I’m making sure the city is preparing accordingly,” Bass said in a statement. “Hundreds of city facilities, including libraries and recreation centers, are available for Angelenos who need to stay cool. Do not hesitate — get indoors and into air conditioning and protect yourself.”
According to the mayor’s office, all city libraries and recreation centers will be available 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. will be 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/.
“Extreme heat, as you know, is one of the most serious weather hazards that we face, and we’re seeing it more frequently each year,” Los Angeles County Supervisor and Board Chair Hilda Solis said during a Monday news conference.
“Regions such as the San Gabriel Valley and the San Fernando Valley will be especially impacted. It’s critical that we all take precautions to protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors,” Solis added.
Forecasters said temperatures are expected to cool off next week, but they will still be about 5 to 15 degrees above normal.