An early autumn heat wave is expected to continue through the weekend, prompting continued calls for residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Forecasters said a high-pressure system is pushing up temperatures, with Saturday expected to be almost as hot as on Friday.
Highs for Saturday are expected to be 102 in Woodland Hills, 99 in Pasadena and Saugus, 98 in Lancaster and Palmdale, 97 in Burbank and 93 in downtown Los Angeles.
On Friday the temperature hit 102 degrees in Woodland Hills, the warmest spot in Los Angeles or Orange counties. The highs were 101 in Chatsworth and 100 in Chatsworth and Northridge.
“No major changes” are forecast for Saturday, except high temperatures “should be a tad cooler in most areas,” according to the National Weather Service.
Sunday’s temperatures will be few degrees lower than Saturday, and Monday’s will go down again, as will Tuesday’s. Downtown L.A. is forecast to have a high of 89 on Sunday, 88 on Monday and 86 on Tuesday. Woodland Hills is forecast to hit 95 Sunday and Monday and 93 Tuesday.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health declared a heat alert Saturday for the San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles Basin, Santa Clarita Valley and Woodland Hills.
“When temperatures are high, even a few hours of exertion may cause severe dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” said Los Angeles County’s interim health officer, Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser.
“Others who are frail or have chronic health conditions may develop serious health problems leading to death if they are exposed to high temperatures over several days.”
A list of cooling centers is available online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov or by calling the 211 information line.
City News Service contributed to this article.