High Surf Pounding Coast as Heat Wave Continues Its Grip on Southland

LOS ANGELES, CA - Temperatures will again climb into triple-digit territory in some inland valleys as the Southland remains in the grips of a heat wave.

"Very hot weather is expected across the mountains and interior areas of southwest California through Thursday, with the potential for heat-related (health) impacts," said a National Weather Service statement.

Highs in the low 100s were expected in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys Wednesday while the San Gabriel Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains were expected to experience temperatures in the high 90s.

The NWS forecast a mix of sunny and partly cloudy skies in Los Angeles County on Wednesday and highs of 75 in Avalon; 76 at LAX; 84 in Long Beach; 86 in downtown L.A.; 92 in Burbank; 96 in San Gabriel; 97 in Pasadena; 98 on Mount Wilson; 100 in Woodland Hills; 101 in Saugus; and 106 in Palmdale and Lancaster.

Highs were expected to drop around 5 degrees Thursday and remain in the 100s only in the Antelope Valley, then another few degrees on Friday. Antelope Valley highs will revert to the 90s only on Saturday.

Along the L.A. County coast, high surf and strong rip currents were forecast to continue through late Friday. A beach hazards statement -- one notch below a high surf advisory -- will go into effect Wednesday afternoon and expire Friday night.

NWS forecasters said surf of 3 to 5 feet will pound the shore Wednesday and increase to between 4 and 6 feet Thursday as a result of a long-period swell in the Pacific Ocean. Beach goers were warned to guard against sneaker waves capable of sweeping them out to sea.

Swimmers were urged never to swim alone, to remain near lifeguard towers, and, if snagged by a rip current, to swim parallel to shore until able to break free.

Also in effect was a small craft advisory, which serves to warn the operators of small vessels of hazardous conditions. It will expire at 3 a.m. Thursday.

— City News Service, photo via Shutterstock