The region’s heat wave intensified Thursday, with temperatures reaching or surpassing the century mark in several communities, and the area will have to deal with one more day of hot conditions before things start cooling down over the weekend.
The upper-level high pressure system that is centered over Arizona is expected to remain in place through the end of the week, with some “slow cooling but still hot conditions” expected through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, Acton, Lancaster and Palmdale all hit triple- digit temperatures Thursday.
Humidity levels will remain higher than usual tomorrow, making it feel even hotter, although humidity will generally stay under 20 percent, forecasters said.
The temperature is expected to hit 94 degrees in downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach tomorrow, 100 degrees in Pasadena and Burbank, 105 in Woodland Hills and Yorba Linda.
“High pressure and offshore flow will bring above-normal temperatures through Saturday,” according to the NWS. “The high will weaken Sunday for a cooling trend and below-normal temperatures by mid next week. An upper-level trough over the West Coast will bring increasing onshore flow and spread coastal clouds and fog inland each night through morning next week.”
Forecasters urged people to protect themselves and their loved ones. They said residents should stay well-hydrated, avoid working in the sun, check on neighbors and relatives — especially the elderly — and provide plenty of water to pets and livestock.
It is also critically important never to leave children, the elderly or pets in closed cars parked in hot weather, forecasters stressed.
Los Angeles County health officials declared a heat alert through at least Friday for the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and eastern San Gabriel valleys. County officials noted that cooling centers will be available throughout the county. A list is available online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.
—City News Service