Southern California heat wave: how hot it gets and when it peaks
Los Angeles warms from the upper 80s today toward 100 by the weekend. Here is the forecast and how to get ready now.
The last day of September in Southern California will feel more like July. A ridge of high pressure is building over the region, and the forecast for downtown Los Angeles climbs from a high near 86°F today to about 90 on Thursday, 92 on Friday and close to 100 over the weekend.
The valleys will run hotter. The National Weather Service outlook reported by MyNewsLA puts the likely weekend range at the mid-90s to about 102°F in Los Angeles County valleys, with the 80s to low 90s at the coast. Inland Orange County could reach the upper 90s. Forecasters also mentioned a less likely hotter scenario, and they described heat advisories or warnings for the period as close to certain. Warm ocean water may keep coastal nights humid.
The good news is that there is time to prepare before Friday. The CDC recommends staying in air conditioning as much as you can during extreme heat, drinking fluids before you feel thirsty, wearing light and loose clothing, and never leaving children or pets in a parked car. It also asks people to check on older neighbors and anyone who lives alone.
If you do not have air conditioning, find out now where your nearest library, mall or county cooling center is, so you are not searching during the hottest afternoon. Plan errands, yard work and exercise for the early morning while it is still cool.
Today's small step is to look up the heat forecast for your own ZIP code and move one outdoor task from this weekend to Thursday morning.
Sources
- Los Angeles Weather Heat Wave Builds Through Weekend
- Southland Braces for Possible Triple-Digit Heat - MyNewsLA.com
- Protect Yourself From the Dangers of Extreme Heat | CDC
Facts were checked against these sources when the post was written. Details can change, so check them for the latest.