Brace for more 100-degree days and red flag warnings, Southern California – Orange County Register

Hot. Hotter. Not the hottest, but really really hot.

That’s the forecast for next week across Southern California, as temperatures in many areas exceed 100 degrees. A late-summer heat wave — expected through the weekend — raised temperatures again Thursday and raised fears of wildfires in some areas.

The days likely won’t reach “hottest on record” status because the heat wave “coincides exactly with the extreme heat wave of 2020, so while we won’t break many records with this event, it doesn’t diminish the impacts or reduce the precautions you need to take to stay safe,” the National Weather Service said. “Do not go hiking or other physical activity except in the very early morning hours, and even then, exercise extreme caution and stay hydrated.”

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Richard Harris, owner of Sitters O Critters dog daycare, sits in the shade on a hot day with his canine clients at the Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park in Van Nuys on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Increase

“All weather systems predict dangerously hot weather throughout the weekend and in some areas even into next week,” NWS forecasters predict.

• See also: How to Stay Cool in Extreme Heat: Tips to Prevent Heat-Related Illness

The NWS has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for much of inland Southern California until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, September 7. For coastal regions, a Heat Warning is in effect until 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 6.

In the Inland Empire, temperatures are expected to reach 112 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday, September 6, in Riverside and San Bernardino, and 110 degrees Fahrenheit in Murrieta and Redlands, according to the National Weather Service.

A heat warning went into effect Tuesday morning for the western San Fernando Valley and will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday — a day longer than originally predicted. Forecasters say temperatures in the area could reach as high as 118 degrees.

An excessive heat warning was also in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday for the Santa Clarita Valley, interior coastal areas extending into downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, Calabasas, the eastern San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, the San Gabriel Valley, the Antelope Valley and foothills of the Antelope Valley, and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors.

Forecasters predict that the temperature in these areas could reach 110 degrees.

• See also: Deaths, Injuries and Billions of Dollars: The Cost of California’s Extreme Heat

Heat warnings are also in effect for the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills, as well as inland Orange County, with temperatures predicted to reach 40°C.

There won’t be much relief at night either, with temperatures forecast to drop to just over 70°F.

Even coastal areas won’t be immune to the heat. A heat warning will go into effect at 11 a.m. Thursday and will last through 8 p.m. Saturday for Malibu Coast and Los Angeles County beaches, as well as Palos Verdes Hills, with some of those areas expected to reach triple-digit temperatures, according to the NWS.

A less severe heat warning will be in effect for coastal areas of Orange County from 11 a.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday, where temperatures are expected to reach as high as 95 degrees.

The combination of high temperatures and predicted low humidity levels has prompted the National Warrant Service (NWS) to issue an elevated fire risk warning for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, San Gabriel Mountains, Western Antelope Valley foothills and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors through 10 p.m. Saturday.

Forecasters said wind conditions would “limit the likelihood of classic red flag criteria” but that “there has been a history of large fires with similar weather conditions at this time of year.”

According to the NWS, humidity levels could drop to 8-15% in red flag areas, with a small recovery during the overnight hours. Meanwhile, temperatures will soar into triple digits.

According to the NWS, a cooldown will begin Saturday, which will cause temperatures to slowly drop over the next few days. Normal levels will be reached on Wednesday of next week.

Due to the high temperatures, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an ozone warning that will be in effect until 8 p.m. Friday due to anticipated elevated smog levels due to the heat wave. Ozone levels are expected to reach harmful levels or worse in the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the San Gabriel Valley by Friday, according to the AQMD.