Temperature Records Fall Across The Southland

LOS ANGELES, CA — Temperature records were set across the Southland Tuesday and firefighters battled multiple brush fires, a troubling harbinger of the summer ahead.

Woodland Hills and Van Nuys both reached 109 degrees Tuesday, a full week before the official start of the summer. Palmdale reached 107 degrees, shattering a 65-year-old record. Daily record highs were also were reached in Anaheim, Big Bear and Palm Springs , which reached an otherworldly 119 degrees Tuesday.

The extreme temperatures are expected to continue through Friday, prompting warnings about heat-related illnesses, the strain on the power grid and the possibility of brush fires that could quickly spread in the hot and dry conditions.

Forecasters said the Antelope Valley in Los Angeles County could see temperatures ranging from 106 to 112 degrees during the heatwave, increasing the risk "for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities."

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat warnings that will be in effect through 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Santa Monica Mountains and San Fernando, San Gabriel and Santa Clarita Valleys, followed by a less severe excessive heat watch that will last until Friday night.

In the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County mountains -- excluding the Santa Monica range -- and in the Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills in Orange County, the excessive heat warning will last until 9 p.m. Friday.

Even the coastal areas aren't being spared the excessive heat. The coastal area and downtown Los Angeles will be under an excessive heat watch until Tuesday evening, but even that part of town will see "dangerously hot conditions with temperatures in the 90s to around 100 degrees, especially inland and in the Hollywood Hills," according to the NWS. The heat watch in the coastal area was originally expected to last through Wednesday, but it was cut short by the NWS.

Mountain areas are forecast to bake in temperatures of 95 to 108 degrees, with the hottest conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday. The valleys could reach as high as 109 degrees.

Northridge reached 108 degrees while Chatsworth hit 107 Tuesday. Downtown Los Angeles recorded a high of 90 degrees.

A record for June 15 was also set in Anaheim, which reached 96 degrees, breaking the 2018 mark of 95.

"Strong high pressure over the southwest will lead to hot temperatures and mostly sunny skies across the region through the week," according to the NWS. "Temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees above normal, peaking today through Thursday."

The weather service has already issued a red flag warning of extreme fire danger for southern Santa Barbara County due to the anticipated conditions Monday night through Wednesday morning. As of mid-morning Monday, no red flag warnings had been issued in Los Angeles County, but forecasters noted that "hot and dry conditions will persist most of the week." Gusty conditions could become an issue in late afternoons in the Antelope Valley, creating "many hours of elevated to brief critical fire weather" each day, "due to the combination of gusty winds, humidities less than 15 percent and temperatures 102-112 degrees."

The California Independent System Operator, which manages the state's power grid, released a statement saying the agency "is closely monitoring weather conditions in preparation for excessive heat warnings in many parts of the state."

"While we don't anticipate rotating power outages at this time, we are headed into record-breaking high heat territory for certain areas beginning today through Friday, and we may call a Flex Alert if needed," according to Cal-ISO.

A Flex Alert is a voluntary call for residents to conserve power during peak hours to reduce strain on the grid.

"We are working to give the public as much advance notice as possible that high heat could lead to a Flex Alert later this week, while raising awareness about the benefits of energy conservation during Flex Alerts," according to Cal-ISO. "Californians have typically been very responsive to Flex Alerts, and we are always impressed and thankful for their efforts."

Also due to the heat wave, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an ozone advisory through Saturday, predicting increased likelihood of poor air quality in many areas. Levels of ground-level ozone -- the predominant summertime pollutant -- are likely to reach "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 Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis. "High temperatures are not just an inconvenience, they can be dangerous and even deadly."

County and city partners operate cooling centers during times of high heat. Residents who do not have access to air conditioning are encouraged to take advantage of free cooling centers. To find a location, visit https://ready.lacounty.gov/hea... or call 211.

City News Service contributed to this report.