The most intense heat wave of the summer will bake much of the region starting Wednesday and continuing into the weekend, with forecasters warning of severe conditions that will dramatically raise the risk of wildfires and heat-related illnesses.
“Expect temperatures to soar into the 95-105 degree range over interior areas, locally reaching near 110 degrees over some mountain valley and desert locations,” according to the National Weather Service, which called the upcoming temperature rise “the most significant heat wave of the summer season so far.”
A red flag warning of critical fire conditions will be in effect from 9 a.m. Wednesday until 9 p.m. Saturday in the Santa Clarita Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, Antelope Valley foothills and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors.
“Now is the time to adjust any plans for strenuous outdoor activities in the valleys and mountains to the cooler morning hours or for another week,” the NWS advised. “If you live in a high fire danger area in the mountains or foothills, review your evacuation plans and route and stay tuned to your local emergency officials.”
Forecasters said many valley and lower mountain areas will be at or above 100 degrees during the weather event, most notably the western San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, Santa Clarita Valley and Antelope Valley.
An extreme heat watch will be in place for most of the area beginning at midday Wednesday and continuing through Saturday evening.
Thursday and Friday are expected to be the hottest days of the heat wave, with triple-digit temperatures expected virtually everywhere away from the coast, and highs potentially reaching 106 to 109 in the western San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley, according to the NWS.
Forecasters said the heat will combine with low humidity, some breezy conditions and “critically dry fuels away from the coast” to dramatically elevate wildfire danger.