Southern California heat wave lingers, relief on horizon

A pedestrian shades from the sun using an umbrella in downtown Los Angeles as Southern California is hit by a heat wave Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

LOS ANGELES – The oppressive heat wave that has been broiling the Southland will linger for at least one more day, with some heat warnings extended through Tuesday before conditions begin to ease mid-week.

“While daytime temperatures will lower on Tuesday, they will not lower as much as previously expected,” according to the National Weather Service.

An excessive heat warning will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Palos Verdes Hills, the inland coast stretching to downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas and the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.

According to the NWS, temperatures could still reach as high as 103 in those areas.

An excessive heat warning will be allowed to expire at 8 p.m. Monday in the Santa Clarita Valley, the Malibu Coast, Los Angeles County beaches, the San Gabriel Mountains and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors.

“The dangerous and long-lasting heatwave will improve heading into Tuesday, but remain at concerning levels through Tuesday evening in some valley and coastal areas,” according to the NWS. “Significant relief remains on track by Wednesday which will last through the week, with an expanding marine layer.”

The sun shines over the financial district towers of downtown Los Angeles during a heatwave Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Another heat record fell on Monday, with downtown Los Angeles reaching
104 degrees, breaking the record for the date of 102 sent in 1956, according to the NWS.

On Sunday it reached 111 in Woodland Hills, tying the record for the day set in 1979. It was 106 in Long Beach on Sunday, breaking the record for the day of 105 set in 1984. It was 104 in downtown Los Angeles, breaking the record for the day of 103 set in 1984. It was 98 at UCLA on Sunday, tying the record for the day set in 1984.

Record highs were also reported Sunday in Anaheim and Santa Ana. It was 107 in Anaheim, breaking the record for the day of 103 set in 2022. It was 106 in Santa Ana, breaking the record for the day of 105 set in 1984.

The Santa Ana Mountains and foothills and Orange County inland areas were also under excessive heat warnings until 8 p.m. Monday, with temperatures up to 105 degrees expected.

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A less severe heat advisory will be in place for Orange County coastal areas until 8 p.m. Monday. Temperatures there are anticipated as high as 95 degrees.

A man jogs along the coast in San Clemente, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, as much of Orange County and Inland areas were under an excessive heat warning. (Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP)

The nighttime was providing little relief, with overnight lows remaining in the upper 70s and lower 80s in many inland areas.

Forecasters and health officials repeated their warnings that this kind of heat can be life-threatening, and urged people to avoid outdoor activity.

“Our partners and us cannot emphasize this enough. Please refrain from hiking during excessive heat! Due to the marine layer, temperatures warm as you go up in elevation,” the NWS said.

The public was also reminded to never leave children and pets unattended in vehicles for even a minute, as they can quickly reach lethal temperatures.
The NWS also reminded people to keep their pets’ health in mind during the heat wave.

“Taking action to protect your pets from excessive heat is critical!” the agency posted on social media. “Provide them with shade (or keep inside) and cool water, keep them off hot pavement and limit outdoor exercise. Hiking in the heat can kill your dog! Use extra caution!”

The excessive heat has also caused power outages throughout Los Angeles County, affecting thousands of customers.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers can check the locations and status of outages at ladwp.com/outages. Southern California
Edison customers can get updates here.

Los Angeles officials reminded residents that the city has hundreds of free locations open for relief from the heat including Recreation and Parks facilities and local library branches. Locations and hours can be found at laparks.org/reccenter and lapl.org/branches.

The city also opened augmented cooling centers through Monday at the
following locations:

— Fred Roberts Recreation Center, 4700 Honduras St.;
— Mid Valley Senior Center, 8801 Kester Ave., Panorama City;
— Sunland Senior Center, 8640 Fenwick St.;
— Jim Gilliam Recreation Center, 4000 S. La Brea Ave.;
— Lincoln Heights Senior Center, 2323 Workman St.;
— Lafayette Recreation Center, 625 S. Lafayette Park Place.

The hot, dry weather was also creating elevated fire conditions across the mountains, valleys and deserts throughout the week. (CNS)

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