Yikes! Heat Wave to Reach 106 Degrees in Highland Park-Mount Washington

LOS ANGELES, CA - A dangerous heat wave is expected to wash over Highland Park-Mount Washington Monday, the first official day of the summer. Temperatures in Highland Park-Mount Washington are expected to soar to 106 degrees on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures will generally rise 2 or 3 degrees today, but a dramatic change in the weather won't come until the weekend, when a heat wave will begin engulfing the region, creating serious health risks and threatening to strain the state's power grid.

The hottest day of the heat wave will be Monday, the first day of summer, when an excessive heat watch issued by the National weather Service will be in effect from morning until night throughout L.A. County, although it will expire only on Tuesday evening in the Santa Clarita Valley. The excessive heat watch will not apply to the Antelope Valley, where high heat around summertime is the norm.

Except at the beach, temperatures of between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit are expected Monday, NWS forecasters said.

"Dangerous heat-related illness is possible, especially for sensitive populations, those conducting outdoor activities, and people without access to air conditioning," warned an NWS statement. "Electricity will be high, and power outages are possible."

The statement emphasized the danger that cars parked in hot weather hold for pet dogs, children and the elderly."Never , ever leave people or pets in enclosed vehicles, even for a short period of time," it said.
The NWS also spelled out some measures Southland residents can take for their own protection, recommending that outdoor work be carried out early in the morning or in the evening and that residents wear light, loose clothing and drink plenty of water.

Along the coast, a high surf advisory will be in effect until 10 tonight in both L.A. and Orange counties. Forecasters warned of waves of between 4 and 7 feet and strong rip currents and longshore currents, both a threat to people in the water.

"There is an increased risk of ocean drowning," said an NWS statement, adding that there also will be a risk of sneaker waves washing people off beaches. And swimmers who get caught in a current were advised to swim parallel to shore until able to break free.

The NWS forecast partly cloudy skies in some L.A. County areas today and sunny skies in others, along with highs of of 69 in Avalon; 70 at LAX; 72 on Mount Wilson; 75 in Long Beach; 76 in downtown L.A. and San Gabriel; 78 in Burbank; 80 in Pasadena; 81 in Saugus; and 83 in Woodland Hills, Palmdale and Lancaster.
Sunny skies were expected throughout Orange County today, along with highs of 67 in Laguna Beach, 69 in San Clemente; 70 in Newport Beach; 76 in Irvine and Mission Viejo; 77 in Anaheim; and 78 in Fullerton and Yorba Linda.

Temperatures will rise Friday -- by 1 or 2 degrees in some communities and by 4 or 5 in others -- and by several more degrees on Saturday, Sunday and Monday before a cooling trend begins Tuesday.
Downtown L.A., for example, is forecast to reach 76 today, 80 Friday, 88 Saturday, 95 Sunday, 101 Monday, 92 Tuesday and 85 Wednesday. Over the same days, highs in Woodland Hills will be 83, 90, 97, 106, 111, 102, and 94.

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: Shutterstock