Excessive Heat Warnings Across Orange County: 100+ Temps Expected Inland

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — When it's 90 degrees at the beach, there is no relief in sight for Southland residents. A dangerous heat wave will cover Southern California starting Monday and is expected to linger through most of the week. Triple-digit temperatures are expected across many inland areas, along with heat-related health risks and the risk of wildfires in tinder-dry mountain areas.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning that will be in force until 10 p.m. Wednesday in both coastal and inland Orange counties, the Santa Monica Mountain Recreational area, San Gabriel, Santa Clarita, San Fernando and Antelope valleys and the San Gabriel Mountains.

The heat wave is expected to peak Monday, and National Weather forecasters said temperatures would be 10 to 20 degrees above average.

The NWS forecast a mix of sunny and partly cloudy skies in L.A. County Monday and highs of 81 degrees at LAX; 87 in Avalon; 90 in Long Beach; 91 in Downtown L.A.; 97 on Mount Wilson; 99 in San Gabriel; 100 in Arcadia and Burbank; 101 in Claremont and Pasadena; 104 in Baldwin Park and Glendora; 105 in Diamond Bar; 106 in Saugus; 108 in Palmdale; and 109 in Woodland Hills and Lancaster.

Sunny skies were forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 77 in Laguna Beach; 78 in San Clemente; 79 in Newport Beach; 88 in Seal Beach; 89 in Fountain Valley and Los Alamitos; 90 in San Clemente; 91 in Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano; 93 in Aliso Viejo and Anaheim, Lake Forest and Irvine; 96 in Fullerton; 98 in Yorba Linda; 100 in Mission Viejo; 102 in Rancho Santa Margarita; 103 in Trabuco Canyon.

Temperatures reached 106 in Woodland Hills on Sunday and 105 in Lancaster.

Among the best places to be Sunday, besides the beach, was Downtown L.A., which only reached 81 degrees.

4-day Forecast for Fountain Valley

Today, partly cloudy until this afternoon.

Tuesday August 29

Clear throughout the day. High 89, low 74.
Chance of precipitation: 0%. Wind 4 mph from the WSW

Wednesday August 30

Clear throughout the day. High 88, low 74.
Chance of precipitation: 0%. Wind 4 mph from the SW

Thursday August 31

Clear throughout the day. High 94, low 75.
Chance of precipitation: 0%. Wind 3 mph from the WSW

Friday September 1

Clear throughout the day. High 89, low 80.
Chance of precipitation: 0%. Wind 4 mph from the S
Data provided by darksky.net.

Avoid Heat Related Illnesses...

According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, prolonged exposure to excessive temperatures may cause serious conditions like heat exhaustion or heat stroke and can even be fatal.

"Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting and dizziness. Warning signs of heat stroke may include an extremely high body temperature, unconsciousness, confusion, hot and dry skin (no sweating), a rapid, strong pulse, and a throbbing headache. If symptoms of heat stroke occur, immediately call for medical assistance. Move the person to a shady area and begin cooling their body with water," the Health Care Agency said.

Recommended precautions to prevent heat related illnesses include:

• Drink plenty of water; don't wait until you are thirsty.
• Wear light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay out of the sun if possible, and when in the sun wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim, and use sunscreen.
• Avoid strenuous activities if you are outside or in non-air conditioned buildings. If you are working outdoors, take frequent rest and refreshment breaks in a shaded area.
• Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in closed cars or other vehicles.
• Check on those who are at high risk to make sure they are staying cool – including seniors who live alone, people with heart or lung disease, and young children.
• Stay cool indoors – if your home is not air conditioned, visit public facilities such as shopping malls and libraries to stay cool.

What is causing the high temperatures across Southern California?

The weather service attributed the heat wave to a "strong upper-level high-pressure system over the region combined with weakening onshore flow."
The NWS said it is certain that even coastal areas "will also warm significantly during this heat wave, with highs mostly in the 80s near the beaches and between 90 and 100 across inland portions of the coastal plain, including Downtown Los Angeles."

The heat wave will also bring warm overnight temperatures, the statement said, adding there is a potential for "significant heat impacts across much of southwest California" for residents without air conditioning.

Additionally, "the hot and dry conditions combined with very dry fuels" -- the vegetation -- "will bring an extended period of elevated fire danger to southwest California."

Forecasters urged residents to protect themselves and those close to them by finding access to air conditioning, reducing time spent outdoors, drinking plenty of water, checking on friends and neighbors -- especially the elderly -- and by never leaving children, seniors or pets in parked cars, even with windows cracked open. The interior of a vehicle parked in hot weather can rapidly reach lethal levels.

Officials in Los Angeles have extended hours at 13 cooling centers for those who don't have access to air conditioning. Tips for staying cool, along with a list of cooling centers, are available at www.emergency.lacity.org/heat or by calling 311. Pets are welcome at the cooling centers if owners remain in control of their animals and clean up after them.

Angelenos were also advised to save energy during the heat wave to help avoid electricity shortages. Tips for saving energy are available at www.myladwp.com/saveenergyla.

The following locations will have extended hours, operating until 11 p.m. through Wednesday:
-- Canoga Senior Citizen Center, 7326 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park
-- Lanark Recreation Center, 21816 Lanark St., Canoga Park, CA 91304
- - Lakeview Terrace Recreation Center, 11075 Foothill Blvd
-- North Hollywood Recreation Center, 11430 Chandler Blvd.
-- Mid Valley Senior Center at Sepulveda Recreation Center, 8801 Kester Ave., Panorama City
-- Sherman Oaks/East Valley Adult Center, 5060 Van Nuys Blvd.
-- Sunland Park Senior Center, 8640 Fenwick St., Sunland
-- Robert M. Wilkinson Multipurpose Center, 8956 Vanalden Ave., Northridge
-- Algin Sutton Recreation Center, 8800 South Hoover St., Los Angeles
-- Green Meadows Recreation Center, 431 E. 89th St., Los Angeles
-- Mount Carmel Recreation Center, 830 W 90th St., Los Angeles
-- Rancho Cienega Sports Complex, 5001 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles
-- Slauson Multipurpose Center, 5306 Compton Ave., Los Angeles

For Orange County cooling centers check with: www.211oc.org

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