Summer means 100-plus temps in LA County valleys and IE cities over weekend
Summer 2024 is coming in like a lion in Southern California.
A ferocious wave of heat will roar with temperatures of 100-plus degrees in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and the Inland Empire on Saturday and Sunday, while highs in the mid-90s will hit the San Gabriel Valley, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The high pressure system in the southwestern United States is causing the hot weather this weekend in Southern California inland valleys. Heat advisories will be in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Sunday for the IE, the east San Fernando Valley, west San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and entire San Gabriel Valley.
San Bernardino and Riverside counties are under heat advisories this weekend, including the cities of Moreno Valley, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Riverside, Corona and Ontario, according to the NWS. High temperatures will range from 98 degrees to 105 degrees.
Orange County inland areas will see highs from 88 degrees to 93 degrees, the NWS forecasted on Friday, while coastal areas won’t go above 80 degrees.
An overlay of humidity from Tropical Storm Alberto leaving Mexico and Texas will add to the heat index. Meaning you can’t say “at least it is a dry heat.” It also brings a 10% to 20% chance of thunderstorms for all of Southern California, said David Gomberg, meteorologist with NWS on Friday.
Living in areas with heat advisories could make you sick. Too much sun can cause heat exhaustion and that usually includes nausea, muscle cramps, dizziness and clammy skin. Heat stroke is when the body temperature can reach 103 degrees and cause confusion and even loss of consciousness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and requires calling 911.
“On hot days, it’s important for everyone to both take care of themselves and check on others, especially those who have a higher chance of getting ill due to the heat. Some of them include children, the elderly, those with health conditions, pregnant people, those living alone and pets,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer.
Health officials say the best way to deal with the heat is to stay out of the sun as much as possible. If going out, wear light-colored clothing, a hat or carry a sun-shielding umbrella. Also, remain hydrated and stay in air-conditioned rooms.
About 157 free cooling centers will be open at almost all L.A. County and L.A. city libraries. To find a cooling center near you, call 211 or go to: https://ready.lacounty.gov/heat/.
Two of the hottest cities in L.A. County on Saturday and Sunday will be Woodland Hills and Santa Clarita, said Gomberg. Some folks were already hanging out at the L.A. city library in Woodland Hills on Friday afternoon.
The mountains and deserts, including the Antelope Valley, will be hotter than the inland valleys, with temperatures ranging from 95 degrees to 108 degrees, Gomberg said.
Burbank will be cooler than other places in the valleys, topping out at 91, while Pasadena will see a high of 93 on both days, Gomberg said. Downtown L.A. will stay in the 80s, he said.
Long-time Santa Clarita resident and hiking enthusiast Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel said the heat recently made a hike unpleasant for her and out-of-town guests. This weekend she plans to work in her garden, which is shaded. She will limit her time outdoors.
“Whenever I stay out too long, I run a cool bath and jump in the tub. It’s not ice cold, but room temperature. And I bring a glass of ice water,” she said. If you don’t have a tub, running through the sprinklers always helps, she said.
Those most susceptible to heat-related illnesses are older adults, young children, outdoor workers, people with chronic medical conditions and athletes. It’s best not to go on a run in the heat and smog.
The following areas will have unhealthy air due to high levels of ozone, a lung-damaging smog component: San Bernardino, the East San Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and Metro area of Riverside County. Areas with air unhealthy for sensitive groups include: West San Gabriel Valley, Pomona/Walnut Valley, Perris Valley, Norco and Corona, and the west San Fernando Valley.
By far, the coolest spots will be along the coast, where predicted highs range from the low to mid-70s, Gomberg said. The predicted high for Malibu on Saturday is 78 degrees and 76 degrees for Huntington Beach.