Father's Day Heat Wave to Bring Elevated Fire Danger

Hot, dry conditions and strong, gusty winds will persist in Southern California through the weekend, creating an “elevated” danger of fire, and today’s temperatures will be even higher than yesterday’s, National Weather Service forecasters said.

The hot spell, which began in earnest Thursday, is the product of an upper-level high-pressure system. It will produce temperatures in the 90s and low 100s in the valleys and at lower elevations in the mountains, they said.

The Antelope Valley will soar to between 100 and 105 degrees each day during this period. But since it will be dry, without humidity making it feel hotter than it really is, no excessive heat warnings are anticipated as of this morning, according to the NWS.

“The combination of hot temperatures, single-digit humidities, gusty onshore winds, and very dry fuels (vegetation) will bring an extended period of elevated fire danger to Southwest California, especially for the interior valleys, mountains and deserts,” the statement said. But no red flag warning has been issued.

Just like on Thursday, one major thoroughfare susceptible to the gusty onshore winds will be the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway corridor from the Santa Clarita Valley into the Antelope Valley, where isolated gusts as high as 45 mph can be expected.

Gusty northwest winds and dry conditions are also expected along the Interstate 5 corridor in the San Gabriel Mountains in northwestern Los Angeles County every evening through the weekend, according to an NWS statement.

NWS forecasters also warned of an elevated fire danger north of Los Angeles County in the Santa Ynez Range and the Santa Barbara County south coast tonight.

Forecasters urged residents of the region to protect themselves against the high heat by scheduling strenuous activities for early morning or evening. Forecasters and and law enforcement personnel also reminded motorists never to leave a child, senior or a pet in an enclosed parked vehicle, even for a short time.

Today’s temperatures will be the same as Thursday’s in some communities but up to five degrees higher in others. Temperatures will rise by a few more degrees in much of the region on Saturday.

The NWS forecast highs today of 72 at LAX; 74 in Avalon; 85 in downtown L.A.; 86 in Long Beach; 73 in San Clemente; 75 in Newport Beach; 77 in Laguna Beach; 87 in Anaheim and Mission Viejo; 88 in Irvine; 90 in Fullerton and San Gabriel; 91 on Mount Wilson; 92 in Yorba Linda; 93 in Burbank; 94 in Pasadena; 101 in Saugus and Woodland Hills; 103 in Palmdale; and 104 in Lancaster.

City News Service