Southern California heat wave, fire danger to continue this week

A woman takes a photo of a thermostat reading 126 degrees Fahrenheit and 52 degrees Celsius at the Furnace Creek Visitors Center in Death Valley National Park, Calif., Sunday, July 7, 2024. Forecasters say a heat wave could break previous records across the U.S., including in Death Valley. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

LOS ANGELES – Record highs were set in two spots in Los Angeles County Sunday, and temperatures are expected to heat up even more in Southern California this week, accompanied by a high risk for dangerous heat illness and
fast-growing fires.

Palmdale and Lancaster both set record highs for Sunday’s date, according to the National Weather Service. Palmdale recorded a high of 114 degrees, breaking the record of 110 set in 1989, while Lancaster’s 115 degrees broke the record of 110 set in 1989 and 2017.

The extreme heat wave “will continue across the region, especially the interior, through much of [this] week,” according to the NWS. “High temperatures will reach 105 to 115 across interior valleys, mountains and deserts.”

An excessive heat warning was extended until at least 9 p.m. Thursday for the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors, the western San Gabriel Mountains, San Gabriel foothills, the Antelope Valley and the Angeles Crest Highway.

Another excessive heat warning will be in effect through Wednesday in the Santa Clarita Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, San Fernando Valley and eastern San Gabriel Mountains, where temperatures well over 100 degrees are expected.

The NWS issued a red flag warning about potential critical fire danger conditions that will be in effect until at least 6 a.m. Monday for the western Antelope Valley foothills and the 5 Freeway corridor in northern LA County.

“Onshore flow will likely be on the increase … through Monday, which may lead to increasing southwest to west winds across portions of the interior and possible red flag warning extensions in some areas,” forecasters said.

“This is a dangerous situation with all the ingredients for a high risk of heat illness and fast-growing fires. Please avoid hiking in the mountains and the hills through this weekend, make plans on how you will stay cool in the afternoon and evening hours, and stay away from anything that could spark a fire.”

The city and county of Los Angeles both operate cooling centers for people who need a place to escape the heat. To find a location, visit ready.lacounty.gov/heat/ or call 211.

San Diego County

In San Diego County, temperatures will remain at or near triple-digits this week, potentially topping 120 degrees in some areas, with an excessive heat warning in place through 9 p.m. Wednesday.

“The heat will continue inland as high pressure dominates the region this week,” a NWS statement said. “Areas west of the mountains will see a few degrees of cooling [Sunday] before the high strengthens by Tuesday and Wednesday, which will bring the hottest days of the week to the region.”

Riverside County

In Riverside County, excessive heat warnings will remain in place through at least Thursday in some areas, National Weather Service forecasters said Sunday.

The warning through at least 9 p.m. Thursday includes the Apple, Lucerne and Coachella valleys as well as the San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning.

Another warning remains until at least 9 p.m. Sunday for the Riverside County Mountains, Riverside County Valleys and the Inland Empire.

Sunday’s high was expected to reach 116 in Coachella and 118 in Indio and Palm Desert.

On Saturday, Palm Springs reached 117 degrees, one day after the city set a record for the date with a high of 124 degrees. (With CNS report)

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