The Southland baked for another day Friday, with triple-digits being the norm in the San Fernando Valley, but a cooling trend is on tap for the weekend.
The mercury hit 106 degrees in Woodland Hills this afternoon, and temperatures in the 100s were recorded in Pasadena, Van Nuys, Burbank, Chatsworth, Pomona and Lancaster.
Saturday’s highs generally are expected to be about one to five degrees lower than Friday’s with the cooling trend continuing into next week.
Humidity levels were also higher than usual Friday, making it feel even hotter.
“High pressure and offshore flow will bring above-normal temperatures through Saturday,” according to the National Weather Service. “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 Friday for the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and eastern San Gabriel valleys. County officials noted that cooling centers are available throughout the county. A list is available online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.
Downtown Los Angeles was expected to top out at 91 degrees on Saturday, with LAX forecast to top out at 82. Saturday’s forecast calls for 92 degrees in Long Beach, 83 in Newport Beach, 93 in Anaheim, 97 in Pasadena, 96 in Burbank and 98 in Lancaster and Palmdale.
—City News Service