A significant heat wave is due to arrive in Southern California later this week, bringing triple-digit highs to several areas beginning Thursday.
Highs in the valleys will generally linger in the 90s through Wednesday, before breaking 100 degrees in the hottest areas beginning Thursday and remaining in triple digits for at least the following few days, according to the National Weather Service.
“There is a high risk (80 percent chance) for a long and dangerous heat wave beginning as early as Wednesday and likely continuing through at least next weekend. NOW is the time to start planning ahead of the heat such as changing outdoor plans or finding places to stay cool and socialize this risk with friends and family,” the NWS said Sunday. “As with many heat waves, there will also be an enhanced risk for large fires away from the coast, so please also take care with fire ignition sources.”
Thursday is expected to be the hottest day, with Van Nuys reaching 105 degrees, Santa Clarita 103, North Hollywood 100 and Lancaster 106. Some of those localities will see a slight decrease by next Sunday, but many will still be above 100 degrees, according to current forecasts.
Downtown Los Angeles will be in the mid-80s early in the week, then rise to 91 on Thursday, 88 Friday, and 90 on both Saturday and Sunday, forecasters said.
Inland Orange County will see highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s, with coastal areas remaining in the mid-70s.
Overnight lows will be elevated too, staying in the low to mid-70s in the valleys beginning Thursday.
Forecasters also issued a high-surf advisory until at least 11 p.m. Tuesday for Catalina, the Malibu coast and other Los Angeles County beaches, due to expected large breaking waves building to 4 to 7 feet with dangerous rip currents.
Authorities urge residents to drink plenty of water, limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, seek air-conditioned shelter when possible and check on elderly relatives, neighbors and others vulnerable to heat illness.
The public is also reminded to never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle even for a minute, as interior temperatures can rapidly reach deadly levels.