If it’s starting to feel a little stuffy around here, it’s not just you, it’s a preview of what’s coming for the rest of the week in Southern California.
According to the National Weather Service, a heat spell expected to peak on Wednesday is also going to be coupled with something Southern Californians aren’t typically used to — higher than average humidity.
“The humidity is going to make the weather a few degrees warmer than the standing temperature,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Devin Black.
Much like a heat wave baking parts of Europe this week, the incoming heat wave will pose a greater risk for sensitive populations, including the very young, the elderly, those active outdoors and those without air conditioning.
Temperatures are expected to reach into the middle to upper 90s in the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys on Wednesday, Black said. For the Los Angeles Basin, including Inglewood and downtown Los Angeles, it’s expected to be in the low to mid-80s.
There’s also a threat of thunderstorms, especially Tuesday going into Wednesday across Los Angeles County, he added.
The weather service has issued a heat advisory from 8 a.m. Tuesday until 9 p.m. Thursday for the eastern San Fernando Valley, eastern San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Clarita Valley, western San Fernando Valley, western San Gabriel Mountains and the Highway 14 corridor, according to the weather service.
Temperatures are expected to cool down after Thursday, but will stay above average through the weekend.
The weather service advises locals to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on family members and neighbors.
“Take extra precautions when outside,” the heat advisory says. “Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
Across the West, many cities could see 100 degrees for the first time this year over the weekend, according to the weather service. Sacramento is expected to see high temperatures in the 90s and Fresno may hit triple digits.
It could heat up to around 90 degrees in Phoenix by Friday and climb to as high as 108 or 110 degrees by Saturday. Las Vegas could also exceed 100 degrees.
The heat wave stems from a strong ridge of high pressure centered over Arizona and New Mexico and the southern border with Mexico. The system is expected to expand to the west over Southern California, ushering in higher temperatures.
The heat wave is expected to bring elevated fire risks, the Weather Service noted in an X post, “with drying fuels & tall fire plume potential over the valleys and mountains.”
High heat and dry, windy conditions have already fueled several wildfires in the West over the weekend, including the Iron fire in Utah’s Juab County that forced the evacuation of around a thousand people.
A wildfire near Sedona, Ariz., also burned about 300 acres near Oak Creek Canyon and prompted evacuations nearby.
On Saturday, officials extended a health advisory because of particle pollution from a massive warehouse fire in Boyle Heights. The advisory was extended until at least noon Tuesday for the San Gabriel Valley, downtown Los Angeles and East L.A.
“Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, bronchitis, asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing,” according to the advisory. “Everyone can be affected, but sensitive groups such as people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk.”
Air quality is expected to range from “unhealthy for sensitive groups” to “very unhealthy” in central Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, the east San Fernando Valley and the northwest San Bernardino Valley, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The weather service has advised that residents keep windows and doors closed, run their air conditioners and air purifiers, and don’t use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air.
Residents should also avoid “sources of pollution such as fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling, and gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.”
