Heat Wave Hits SoCal, Coastal Areas Only Reprieve According to NWS

SEAL BEACH, CA—Mild weather will give way to a mini-heat wave beginning today, with forecasters predicting temperatures well above normal by week's end. If you are searching for beaches, might want to look further south than Seal Beach, where partial ocean swimming closures are still in effect, thanks to the raw sewage spill from Long Beach, Calif.

High pressure is expected to settle over the area beginning today, lessening the marine layer and ushering in warmer weather.

"By Friday, highs in the 95 to 105 range will be common away from the coast, with coastal areas at the mercy of the ebbs and flows of the marine layer,'' according to the National Weather Service. "Overnight low temperatures will also be on the rise, with above-normal lows by Friday morning and a few 70s popping in.''

Temperatures are expected to gradually increase over the next few days,rising about four to five degrees by Saturday.

"Although the air mass will be dry, these types of temperatures will bring serious concerns to sensitive populations and those working outdoors,''forecasters said. Temperatures will be on the rise for inland and northern Orange County cities.

The weather heats up in North Orange County, leaving Seal Beach and Los Alamitos area hoping for a reopening of the ocean waters following the recent sewage spill in Long Beach. Residents might need to head south for ocean swimming, with high temperatures at 89 on Thursday, 91 on Friday, 92 on Saturday and heating up to 96 on Sunday. Low temperatures will remain in high 60s to low 70s.

Temperatures in the San Juan Capistrano area will heat up to 89 degrees Thursday, 90 Friday, 88 Saturday, and cooling down to 85 on Sunday. Low temperatures will be in the high 60s to low 70s through the weekend.

Newport Beach area temperatures will remain balmy at 87 degrees Thursday, 88 Friday, 84 Saturday and 80 on Sunday, with low temperatures hovering in the high 60s to low 70s.

Things will heat up in Rancho Santa Margarita, with temperatures hitting 95 degrees on Thursday, 97 on Friday, and Saturday with a high of 98 degrees. Sunday will drop again, but remain warm at 92 degrees. Low temperatures will hover from mid to high 60s, with the marine layer.

Mission Viejo will also see high temps, starting with highs of 94 Thursday, 95 Friday, 96 Saturday, and falling to 92 on Sunday. Low temperatures will range from mid to high 60s.

Temperatures will rise in Lake Forest with high temperatures of 95 degrees, 96 degrees on Friday and Saturday, and dropping to 93 degrees on Sunday. Lows remain in the high 60s to 70 degrees.

Aliso Viejo will see temperatures steady but hot, with Thursday highs of 90, Friday at 93, Saturday rising to 94, and Sunday dropping back to 90. Low temperatures in the high 60s.

Even Laguna Beach will heat up this week, with Thursday high temperatures of 88 Thursday, 90 Friday, dropping to 85 on Saturday and cooling off to 79 on Sunday. Low temperatures will stay in the upper 60s to low 70s all weekend.

South Orange County beaches will be the place to be this weekend, especially by the beach in Laguna Niguel and Dana Point areas, temperatures will range from 87 degrees Thursday, 89 Friday, 88 Saturday, and dropping to 84 on Sunday. Lows will be in the high 60s.

San Clemente will remain one of the places to be in Orange County this weekend, with temperatures ranging from 88 degrees on Thursday and Friday, dropping to 86 on Saturday, and high of 80 on Sunday. Low temperatures in the upper 60s.

With warmer weather, swimming pools and beaches will fill up with those seeking reprieve from the heat.

Remember water safety, and the A-B-Cs of Drowning Prevention, courtesy of the Orange County Fire Authority.

"Friday through Sunday mark the 10-year anniversary of one of the hottest events on record for any month -- Woodland Hills hit 119 on July 22,2006, the all-time high for any of our climate stations,'' according to the Weather Service.

Inland areas could see higher-than-normal temperatures as late as next Tuesday, although coastal areas should see some cooling beginning Sunday, forecasters said.