Rising temperatures to continue in Southern California this weekend – Orange County Register

Southern California will get a reprieve from the oppressive heat wave starting early next week, the National Weather Service said. But expect a scorching weekend.

Parts of the region have seen daily temperatures nearly 20 degrees higher than normal for this time of year, NWS meteorologist Chandler Price said. In Riverside and San Bernardino, where temperatures reached 113 and 112 degrees, respectively, on Thursday, the normal high temperature for early September is a relatively comfortable 96 degrees.

The heat wave was caused by overall high air pressure in the area, the result of global seasonal patterns rather than an immediate trigger such as a nearby storm. High pressure is fairly persistent, Price said, which is why the heat wave has stuck around.

According to NWS meteorologist Carol Smith, the lack of cooling at night also contributes to the high daytime temperatures.

“If you cool down at night, it helps you start the day with a cooler temperature,” Smith said. “We just don’t see that.”

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Two boys walk home from school on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, past a time and temperature display on Shoup Ave. in West Hills. The weather service was showing temperatures for the area in the high 200s. The two boys just knew it was extremely hot. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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High temperatures in Orange County are usually relieved by cooler winds off the coast. However, the ocean has warmed up, as it does every year in late August. Inland Orange County is expected to top 100 degrees by the end of this weekend, with little relief from the winds.

Los Angeles is expected to experience similar conditions this weekend. Downtown is expected to barely top 100 degrees, while the San Fernando Valley is expected to hit 106 degrees. Areas farther inland have of course felt the brunt of the heat this week, with several record highs. Indio set a new record high of 121 degrees this week, one degree higher than the previous record set in 2020. Burbank tied a record high of 114 degrees on Friday, meteorologist Carol Smith said, the fourth time that’s happened since 1939.

Fortunately, it will cool down considerably in the coming week.

“There is relief on the horizon,” Price said. “On Wednesday, we will return to normal temperatures for this time of year, based on a 30-year climate average.”

Until the heat is over, there will be a slightly increased risk of wildfires. Dry air and high temperatures create an ideal environment for them to grow and spread.

The weather service has issued multiple warnings in recent days. The Line fire, which broke out around 6:30 p.m. Thursday night in Highland, later prompted evacuations and continued to burn Friday. By Friday afternoon, the fire had spread to 3,000 acres.

The Orange County Fire Authority is maintaining normal staffing levels but is “ready to go” in the event of a wildfire, OCFA Capt. Than Nguyen said.

The biggest concern is to ensure that people in the region take the necessary precautions.

“We’re telling everyone to limit their outdoor activities and make sure they stay hydrated,” Nguyen said. “It seems simple enough, but often people don’t stay hydrated and end up in a situation where they need help.”

Smith advised the public to also take care of their four-legged friends. Pets should stay hydrated and stay indoors as much as possible, as should their owners. Even daily walks on the sidewalk can burn animals’ paws.

Price encourages people to take advantage of nearby cooling centers, located in libraries and community centers throughout Southern California.

“Make sure you’re looking out for your neighbors, especially the vulnerable people who may not have air conditioning in their homes or access to clean water,” Price said. “And take care of yourself, too.”