Southland Swelter Triggers Heat Warnings Across The Region

LOS ANGELES, CA — Another heat wave was expected to fry parts of the Southland this weekend and into early next week, weather officials said. Temperatures were expected to rise well above normal, prompting the National Weather Service to issue excessive heat warnings in some areas.

Scorching temperatures are heading to Southern California on the heels of another record-breaking heat wave that just subsided days ago, particularly in Southern California's deserts and valleys.

The expected onslaught of warm weather was triggered by the monsoonal high-pressure system that was currently baking the Pacific Northwest this week. The swelter was forecast to peak Sunday and Monday, with temperatures expected to push 10-15 degrees above normal in parts of the Southland and especially in deserts and inland valleys, weather officials said.

"High pressure will bring another heatwave, with daytime temperatures well above normal on Sunday and Monday in the deserts and portions of the mountains and inland valleys," National Weather Service officials said.

Excessive heat warnings will go into effect for the following areas at 10 a.m. Sunday and end Monday at 9 p.m.: Apple and Lucerne Valleys, Coachella Valley, Riverside County Mountains, San Bernardino County Mountains and San Diego County's deserts, the NWS said.

SEE ALSO: CA Heat Advisory For Pets: What You Need To Know

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health also issued an excessive heat warning for the Los Angeles Basin, west Fernando, Antelope, San Gabriel and Santa Clarita valleys, where temperatures were expected to soar to 103 and 110 degrees.

A less dire heat advisory was also issued for San Bernardino, the Inland Empire and Riverside County's valleys.

"Temperatures warming up today as high pressure strengthens across the western states. While the most anomalous temperatures will be in the [Pacific Northwest], it will be quite hot down here as well across the interior with highs near 110 expected across the Antelope Valley and other far interior locations," Los Angeles National Weather Service officials said.

Coastal areas were expected to heat up as well, but a light onshore flow will keep temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

"So while temperatures will be above normal everywhere, the bulk of this heat wave for southern California is for interior areas and there are a variety of heat advisories and warnings in effect for those two days," weather officials wrote in a forecast discussion Saturday.

Public health officials were reminding Southland residents to hydrate and stay cool this weekend to avoid heat-related illness, especially for elderly people, young children, those who work outdoors, athletes and people with certain health conditions.

"While it is very important that everyone take special care of themselves, it is equally important that we reach out and check on others, in particular those who are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of high temperatures, including children, the elderly, and their pets,” said Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County's health officer. “High temperatures are not just an inconvenience, they can be dangerous and even deadly.

The high-pressure system will also elevate fire risk throughout Southern California amid dry conditions. Low daytime humidity levels were expected to fall to around 10 percent in some areas through the weekend, forecasters said. Those conditions, combined with dry, gusty winds, will result in elevated wildfire hazards in the deserts and mountains.

"Elevated fire weather conditions will continue for the deserts onto the desert slopes of the mountains each afternoon and evening through the weekend, with gusty southwest to west winds in the mountains and deserts and daytime humidity falling to 10 percent or lower," NWS officials said.

For the early and middle part of next week, monsoonal moisture could bring thunderstorms, mainly in the mountains and deserts and mostly during the afternoon and early evening hours, according to the weather service.

The potential for dry lightning strikes will be greater initially in the heat wave, when atmospheric moisture will be relatively limited. Some areas could also see rainfall later in the week, meteorologists said.

Time to dust off your thinking caps when it comes to #lightning. Last year's missing monsoon is likely to make an appearance in #SoCal on Tuesday. Keep aware of the forecast for the potential of thunderstorms and how to stay safe from dangerous lightning. #CAwx #LAweather pic.twitter.com/B2iyzOX5Uq
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) June 26, 2021

Here are some tips to stay safe during a heatwave, according to public health officials in Los Angeles County:

• Drink plenty of water and keep hydrated throughout the day.
• If you must go out, plan your day to avoid going out during the hottest hours, and wear sunscreen. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothes, and wear a hat or use an umbrella.
• Cars get very hot. Never leave children or pets in cars and call 911 if you see a child or pet in a car alone.
• Beware of heat-related illness, like heat stroke and call 911 if you see these symptoms: high body temperature, vomiting, and pale and clammy skin.
• Check on those at risk, like those who are sick, older adults, pregnant women, and children, and those who live alone.
• If you are wearing a mask, avoid strenuous workouts wearing face coverings or masks not intended for athletic purposes..
• Visit your power company’s website or contact them by phone to determine if you are scheduled for a rolling power outage.

The City News Service contributed to this report.