LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Temperatures will soar into the 90s today in several communities in L.A. and Orange counties as the second Southern California heat wave of 2020 gets underway, prompting forecasters to urge Southland residents to protect themselves.
The National Weather Service warned that the weather could spell mean heat-related illnesses for sensitive groups, including people living in portable temporary shelters. It urged area residents to limit outdoor activities, wear light-colored and lightweight clothing, drink plenty of water, and never leave, children, the elderly or pets in a hot vehicle.
Forecasters said this heat wave, which is caused by high pressure, could be hotter than the last one, which ended last week, and added that heat records are possible Thursday.
Strong winds lingered, meanwhile. A high wind watch, which is somewhat more serious than a wind advisory, will be in force from tonight through Wednesday morning in the San Gabriel Mountains, where winds of 25-30 miles per hour are expected in the San Gabriels today, along with 65-mph gusts, according to the weather service.
“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles,” warned the NWS. “This includes Highway 33 in Ventura County as well as Interstate 5 in Los Angeles County.”
Off the coast, a small craft advisory will be in force until 3 p.m. today, followed in some areas of the outer waters by a gale warning, which will be in effect until 3 a.m. Thursday.
The weather service forecast sunny skies in L.A. County today and highs of 79 on Mount Wilson; 80 at LAX; 81 in Avalon; 86 in Long Beach; 87 in Downtown L.A.; 90 in San Gabriel and Lancaster; 91 in Pasadena, Burbank and Palmdale; 92 in Saugus; and 95 in Woodland Hills. Highs in the 90s were expected in some communities through Friday, followed by a cooling trend.
Sunny skies were forecast in Orange County today along with highs of 73 on Santiago Peak; 76 in Newport Beach; 77 in San Clemente; 78 in Laguna Beach; 82 on Ortega Highway at 2,600 feet; 86 at Fremont Canyon; 89 in |Irvine; 90 in Mission Viejo and Trabuco Canyon; 91 in Fullerton; and 92 in Anaheim and Yorba Linda. Several communities will remain in the 90s through Thursday before slipping back to the 80s on Friday and the 70s on Monday.
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