It's Going to Be 106 Degrees Today, Stay Cool

The National Weather Service declared an excessive heat watch from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening for much of the region. An excessive watch means that a prolonged period of high temperatures is expected. Patch's weather partner Weatherbug predicts highs of 106 in North Hollywood today.

City officials today encouraged residents to use libraries, parks and six official cooling centers.

The Recreation and Parks Department opened cooling centers at six senior citizen facilities across the San Fernando Valley in North Hollywood, Panorama City, Sunland, Sylmar, Sherman Oaks and Northridge. They will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The North Hollywood cooling center is located the North Hollywood Recreation Center at 11430 Chandler Blvd., as is a public pool.

Residents who require power to run medical equipment were encouraged to call the Department of Water and Power's customer service line to ask about the Lifeline Services Program.

The National Weather Service has issued an "excessive heat watch" for Saturday afternoon, saying that temperatures pose a risk, especially to the homeless, elderly and people working outdoors.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa reminded residents that extreme heat and humidity can lead to heat exhaustion, heat cramps and sunstroke. He issued recommendations for coping with high temperatures, including:

   -- drinking plenty of water and limiting alcohol consumption;
   -- staying indoors as much as possible;
   -- raising thermostats to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage;
   -- avoiding cooking during the hottest part of the day;
   -- opening windows at night to allow cooler air to circulate;
   -- checking on seniors, friends and neighbors who do not have air
conditioning; and
   -- never leaving children or pets alone in closed vehicles

More information is available at http://emergency.lacity.org.

There are 54 city-run summer pools now open, including the pools at North Hollywood Park and Valley Plaza Park. Sherman Oaks Patch reported that an at the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks pool yesterday.

For the complete list of L.A.’s public pools, click here.

North Hollywood Recreation Center

5301 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood

Hours: The pool is open 1-5 p.m. on weekends and 2-6 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 28.

Valley Plaza Park

 6715 Laurelgrove Ave., North Hollywood

Hours: The pool is open 1-5 p.m. on weekends and 2-6 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 28.

-- The City News Service contributed to this report