A blistering late summer heat wave will bake Southern California for one more day before coming to an end Tuesday evening.
Heat advisories remain in effect until 6 p.m. for most of Los Angeles County and much of Orange County, according to the National Weather Service. Most communities can expect highs in the 80s and 90s, with triple-digit heat possible in the San Fernando, San Gabriel and Santa Clarita Valleys.
Los Angeles city officials said hundreds of locations will open for relief from the heat, including parks libraries. Residents can visit laparks.org/reccenter, lapl.org/branches or call 311 for the location and hours of operation for the cooling centers.
Meteorologists said monsoonal moisture will accompany the heat, making for a muggy Tuesday afternoon. These conditions also bring a low risk of showers and thunderstorms in the northern part of Los Angeles County through the remainder of the week.
“Increased risk of thunderstorms for San Gabriel mountains/Antelope Valley Tue afternoon-Wed evening,” the NWS’ Los Angeles office said Monday. “Main risks will be brief heavier rainfall with flash flooding/debris flow (including Bridge Fire burn scar) and strong downburst/outflow wind gusts 40-60 mph.”
A slight cooling trend is expected beginning Thursday, with temperatures likely dropping around 5 to 7 degrees the following weekend.
Thousands hit the beach to escape the heat on Labor Day. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued warnings for residents to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters at many of the most popular beaches ”due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.”
The agency also urged residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke and cramps. Officials warned the public to avoid strenuous outdoor activity, drink plenty of fluids and to check on those at risk for heat-related illness, such as people who are sick or have chronic conditions, older adults and pregnant women.
The public was also reminded to never leave children and pets in a vehicle without air conditioning on for even one minute, as vehicle temperatures can quickly rise to deadly levels.