The Southland’s heat wave intensified Thursday, with temperatures nearing the triple-digit mark and humidity increasing to compound the misery.
National Weather Service forecasters noted that the weather system will also keep temperatures elevated in many areas at night, when people normally get some relief from the heat.
“The combination of above normal daytime highs and overnight lows along with the higher humidities will create a dangerous environment as people’s bodies (those without air conditioning) will be heat stressed day and night with no real recovery period,” according to the NWS. “For all of these reasons heat advisories are in effect through Monday evening.”
Thursday through Sunday was expected to be the hottest stretch of the next seven days. A heat advisory took effect Wednesday morning for almost the entire L.A. area, and will remain in force until 8 p.m. Monday.
Inland coastal areas, including downtown Los Angeles, will also be under a heat advisory through Monday, with daytime highs potentially reaching 96 degrees, according to the NWS.
The Antelope Valley was under an extreme heat warning that took effect at 10 a.m. Thursday and will also be in place through 8 p.m. Monday, with highs there expected to range from 100 to 108 degrees.
“There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness, especially for sensitive groups like the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors,” according to the NWS.
Heat advisories will also be in place until 8 p.m. Monday across Orange County.
The city of Los Angeles urged residents to take precautions during the heat event by staying hydrated, seeking shade or air-conditioned buildings and limiting strenuous outdoor activities to the morning or evening hours whenever possible.
People without access to air conditioning were encouraged to seek relief at public libraries, recreation facilities, senior centers or other public buildings.
Information about cooling centers is available by calling 311 or online through the city’s emergency management website at emergency.lacity.gov/heat.
Forecasters said the prolonged heat wave is expected to continue into early next week with little day-to-day change in temperatures.
Some cooling is anticipated on Tuesday, but by Wednesday, “highs will still be above normal but only by 3 to 5 degrees.”