A heat wave is expected to hit Los Angeles County this week, with temperatures forecast to be 10 to 15 degrees above normal.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for noncoastal areas starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, saying temperatures are likely to reach 100 degrees or higher in the region's interior. A heat advisory for inland areas, including downtown Los Angeles, is in effect as of 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The heat wave is being caused by a high pressure system over the region, said Spencer Fielding, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. While downtown Los Angeles typically sees temperatures around 70 degrees this time of year, the mercury could reach near 90 degrees this week, he said.
Wednesday is expected to be the warmest day for most areas, with highs in the 80s along the coasts, 90 to 102 in the valleys and 105 to 107 in the Antelope Valley, according to the weather service. Coasts could cool a couple of degrees on Thursday due to a stronger, earlier sea breeze, but valleys are expected to see little change, and mountains and the far interior could warm a degree or two, forecasters said.
People should make sure they stay hydrated, try to avoid spending time outdoors in the sun, and monitor those who are vulnerable to the effects of heat, such as older people and children, Fielding said.
Temperatures are expected to drop over the weekend due to a possible return of some moisture to the area, with scattered showers possible Saturday into Sunday, Fielding said. Those rains are expected to primarily affect coastal areas around Santa Barbara, but may also reach Los Angeles, he said.
Conditions are likely to improve again early next week, Fielding said.
Santa Barbara is also expected to see afternoon wind gusts on its southwest coast on nights this week, with gusts up to 45 to 50 mph, Fielding said. Hot, dry offshore winds could raise the risk of fire, he added.
