Temperatures to Shoot Past 100

LOS ANGELES, CA - A heat wave will engulf the Southland from Saturday through Wednesday, raising fears of heat-related illnesses and wildfires, forecasters said today.

The heat wave will result from an upper-level high-pressure system combined with weakening onshore flow, the National Weather Service said in a statement, adding that triple digit temperatures are expected Saturday across the Antelope Valley as well as in some other valley areas, the foothills and the San Gabriel Mountains at lower elevations. The peak of the event will be Sunday through Tuesday -- a period that could see Antelope Valley temperatures soar to 108 degrees Fahrenheit while other areas experience highs between 100 and 105, it said.

"The prolonged heat wave will likely result in an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for the homeless, elderly, infants and anyone participating in outdoor activities," the statement warned. It urged residents to stay well-hydrated, wear lightweight clothing of light colors, stay indoors when temperatures are at their highest, and never leave people or pets in parked vehicles in hot weather, even for a short time.

The statement also warned of wildfires.

"The combination of hot temperatures, low humidity, and very dry fuels will bring an extended period of elevated fire danger to southwest California Saturday through Wednesday," it said, adding that mountains areas and the foothills will be especially at risk, in part because of the presence of bone- dry vegetation.

The NWS forecast partly cloudy skies today and highs of 76 in Avalon; 77 in Long Beach; 82 in downtown L.A.; 83 in Long Beach; 87 in San Gabriel; 88 in Burbank and on Mount Wilson; 91 in Pasadena; 95 in Saugus; 96 in Woodland Hills; 100 in Palmdale; and 101 in Lancaster.

Sunny skies were forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 77 in San Clemente; 78 in Newport Beach; 80 in Laguna Beach; 85 in Anaheim, Irvine and Mission Viejo; 88 in Fullerton; and 90 in Yorba Linda.

Saturday's highs will be a few degrees higher, then climb again on Sunday and Monday. Woodland Hills, for example, is forecast to reach 96 today, 100 Saturday, 106 Sunday, 107 Monday and 106 Tuesday before dipping to 104 Wednesday.

City News Service; Image: Shutterstock