Orange County Weather Heats up Inland, Gorgeous Day Along Coast

Temperatures will again climb into triple-digit territory in some inland valleys today 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.

Both sunny and partly cloudy skies were also forecast in Orange County, with mild to warm weather expected throughout the county's micro-climates.

Expect high temperatures of 74 in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach ... 76 in San Clemente; 80 in Fountain Valley; 84 in Irvine; 85 in Anaheim and Mission Viejo; 86 in Rancho Santa Margarita; 88 in Yorba Linda; 89 in Fullerton; and 90 in Lake Forest.

Highs will generally decline by 2 or 3 degrees Thursday and another 6 or 7 degrees Friday, according to an NWS forecast.

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

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An Orange County beach hazard statement will take effect at noon and also expire Friday night.

NWS forecasters said surf of 3 to 5 feet will pound the shore today 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.

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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.

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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.