An excessive heat advisory has been extended for another day as parts of Southern California continue to bake in extreme heat over the long Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The advisory is now in effect until Monday, at 8 p.m., for the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and the foothills, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), which warned of the possibility of heat-related illnesses.
A less severe heat advisory was in effect during the same hours in the western San Gabriel Mountains.
Meteorologist Marcos Mora explains the details here.
Lancaster and Palmdale hit 105 degrees Sunday, Santa Clarita hit 99 and Valencia 97, the weather service reported. Temperatures were in the mid 90s in the San Fernando Valley and the upper 80s in the San Gabriel Valley.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District also issued an ozone advisory through Monday, warning that excessive heat could increase the likelihood of poor air quality in many areas.
Ozone exposure can be dangerous for children, older adults, and people with asthma or COPD. A map highlighting air quality in various areas is available by clicking here.
The hot and dry conditions were also creating an elevated risk of wildfires.
How to protect yourself from high temperatures
- Keep hydrated! The more hydrated you are, the more effective your body will be at keeping you cool. Drink water, not carbonated or alcoholic drinks, which will end up dehydrating you.
- Avoid exercising in the middle of the day. If you need to exercise outside, do it early in the morning when the temperature is cooler.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored natural fabrics like cotton and linen, as they will help your skin breathe and allow your sweat to evaporate, cooling you down.
- We sweat about 8 ounces (237 milliliters) a day from both feet (and we wonder why they stink!), so if you can, wear sandals or sandals to help the sweat from your feet evaporate.
- Use a fan to circulate air through open windows. Keep your blinds or curtains closed during the day, so your house doesn’t get hot while you’re away. Turn off major appliances and help prevent blackouts!
- To cool down quickly, run your wrists under a cold tap or keep a spray of water in the fridge for a quick spritz on your face to keep you feeling cool.
- Keep some baby wipes in your bag so you can refresh your hands, face, and neck if they get hot or clammy.
- Do you want to stay cool at night? One way is to wash your feet in cool water or take a cool shower before going to bed, especially if you get hot at night or sweat a lot.
- To cool down in bed, try storing your pillowcase or sheets in a plastic bag in the refrigerator during the day. Put them back to bed at night. The fabric will stay cool when you try to sleep.
- And make sure your pets have shade and water.
- Be prepared for power outages and find out where the cooling centers are!
cooling centers
- cooling centers for los angeles county can be found by clicking here.
- cooling centers for the city of Los Angeles can be found by clicking here or by calling 311.
- For a list of cooling centers in the orange countycall 211 or Click here
- For a list of cooling centers in the riverside county, Click here.
- For a list of cooling centers in the san bernardino county, Click here.
Causes of high temperatures
The heat is the result of a high pressure system in the building, which will affect the interior areas.
The beaches are expected to be popular destinations over the long weekend, with forecasters saying that “persistent marine layer and onshore flow” will keep temperatures low in coastal areas.
Forecasters noted that in warmer areas, nighttime temperatures won’t offer much relief, dipping only into the 70s and near 80s in some places.
A vet gives us the signs to know if your pet is experiencing heat stroke. Details in the video.
“While more sunlight will prevail and much warmer temperatures develop far offshore, beaches will be mired in low clouds until late afternoon,” according to the NWS. “As a result, the warming trend will moderate in coastal areas.”
The high pressure system is expected to dissipate beginning Monday, though temperatures should remain above normal for the July 4 holiday Tuesday. More significant cooling is anticipated on Wednesday and Thursday.
