Father’s Day will be blazing in the Southland.
Downtown Los Angeles and even local beaches will see temperatures in the 90s, and Palm Springs is expected to have a high temperature of 118.
But Wednesday and Thursday will continue with mild and even cool temperatures before the heat sets in late in the week..
High surf pounded the Southland’s coast Wednesday as the region headed for a heat wave characterized by “extreme heat and very dry conditions” and expected to create an “elevated fire danger,” forecasters said.
Record-breaking triple-digit temperatures are likely Sunday through Tuesday, according to a National Weather Service statement, which attributed the approaching heat wave to “a strong upper-level high-pressure system.”
Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s by Saturday, followed by “widespread triple-digit heat” Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the statement said, warning of”dangerous heat impacts” away from the coast, especially Monday, when new high-heat records may be set.
“From Sunday through Tuesday, high temperatures are expected to soar to between 100 and 112 degrees across the valleys, lower mountain elevations, and the Antelope Valley, with the warmest valley locations possibly reaching 115 degrees on Monday,” it said.
“The projected high temperature for downtown Los Angeles is 100 degrees for Monday. This kind of heat is unusual for coastal communities in June…”
The statement warned that the approaching conditions could have a major impact.
“The widespread triple-digit heat combined with low humidity will likely bring an extended period of elevated fire danger across much of southwest California Sunday through Tuesday,” it said.
The weather service urged area residents to plan how they will cope with the heat. It recommended several self-protective measures:
“Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid being outside during the warmest part of the day. If working outside, work with a buddy and take frequent breaks. Provide water and shelter for animals. Check on family, friends, neighbors and animals. Also remember to never ever leave children, pets, and the elderly unattended in vehicles, even with windows down.”
Along the coast, a high surf advisory will be in force from 6 this morning until 10 p.m. Thursday in both L.A and Orange counties as a result of a southerly swell generating strong rip currents that could persist through Friday. Also expected are waves of between 4 and 7 feet with some 8-foot sets today and Thursday.
“There is an increased risk of ocean drowning,” warned an NWS statement. “Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Sneaker waves can suddenly wash people off of beaches and rock jetties. The combination of surf and high tides could generate minor beach erosion and minor flooding of coastal walkways.”
The statement reminded people caught in a rip current to swim parallel to shore until able to break free.
The NWS forecast partly cloudy skies in Los Angeles County today — except in the Antelope Valley, which is expected to be sunny — and highs of 65 in Avalon; 67 at LAX; 68 on Mount Wilson; 71 in Long Beach; 72 in downtown L.A.; 73 in Burbank; 74 in San Gabriel; 76 in Pasadena; 77 in Woodland Hills and Saugus; and 80 in Palmdale and Lancaster.
In Orange County, a combination of partly cloudy and sunny skies are expected Wednesday, along with highs of 66 in Laguna Beach; 68 in Newport Beach and San Clemente; 70 in Mission Viejo; 72 in Anaheim and Irvine; and 73 in Yorba Linda and Fullerton.
Temperatures will rise Thursday and again Friday as they near the dangerous levels forecast by the NWS.
—City News Service