Punishing triple-digit heat continues to bear down on Southern California with flash flood and thunderstorm warnings in some areas and a fifth straight Flex Alert Sunday sprinkled into the mix.
The oppressively high temperatures continue to raise fears of electrical shortages as residents crank up the air conditioning, prompting the California Independent System Operator — which manages the state’s power grid — to extended a Flex Alert through Sunday, with voluntary electricity conservation measures from 4 to 9 p.m. in place for the fifth consecutive day.
Excessive heat warnings remain in effect until at least 8 p.m. Tuesday for the mountains and the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, along with the inland coastal area, including downtown Los Angeles.
The warning in the Antelope Valley will last until 9 p.m. Wednesday, with temperatures anticipated up to 113 degrees.
On Saturday, record-high temperatures were recorded in three Southland communities: Lancaster, Palmdale and Sandberg. Lancaster’s 109 was one degree higher than the previous record 108 set in 1955, a record 106 degrees in Palmdale tied the record set in 1947 and in the Antelope Valley community of Sandberg Saturday’s 99 degrees broke the previous record of 97 degrees, set in 1955.
Saturday’s highs topped out at 98 degrees in downtown Los Angeles, 104 in Pasadena, 106 in Van Nuys and 107 in Santa Clarita.
In Orange County, excessive heat warnings will also be in place through 8 p.m. Tuesday for coastal and inland areas and the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills. Forecasters said Orange County beaches will be in the 80s, with inland areas hitting the 90s, and possibly up to 105 farther from the coast in cities such as Anaheim, Garden Grove, Irvine and Fullerton.
The warnings were all originally expected to expire Monday night.
“A prolonged period of very hot conditions with minimal coastal clouds is expected as high pressure aloft remains anchored over the West,” according to the National Weather Service. “Triple-digit heat will be common for many valley and mountain locations through early next week. Record-breaking heat will produce a very high risk of heat illness.”
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the NWS urged. “Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.”
Forecasters also urged residents to be aware of the signs of heat stroke and to take precautions.
“Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside,” according to the NWS. “When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.”
Overnight lows will not offer much relief either, staying in the 70s and even in the low 80s in some of the hotter areas.
During the statewide Flex Alerts, residents are urged to take power-saving steps such as:
— setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher;
— avoiding use of major appliances;
— turning off unnecessary lights; and
— avoid charging electric vehicles.
Residents are also advised to pre-cool their homes as much as possible and close blinds and drapes to keep interiors cool.
The alerts have worked thus far, with the state avoiding involuntary power cutoffs.
According to Cal-ISO, electrical demand on Thursday topped out at 47,357 megawatts, the highest figure since September 2017. The agency projected that demand could exceed that number on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with Tuesday’s forecast at 49,000 megawatts.
Cooling centers for Los Angeles County can be found at ready.lacounty.gov/heat/. Cooling centers for the city of Los Angeles can be found at emergency.lacity.org/la-responds/beat-heat, or by calling 311.