Southern California’s extended ‘June Gloom’ is going to seem like a distant memory when the first heat wave of the summer arrives later this week.
Temperatures will remain mild until Friday when a high-pressure system develops that will push temperatures into the 90s and low triple digits through the July 4th holiday, according to the National Weather Service.
“The interior valleys and desert areas will see, by far, the hottest temperatures,” said KTLA’s Andy Riesmeyer. “The coast and Los Angeles Basin will also be warmer but will stay relatively mild.”
Residents should expect high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s in the San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley Friday through next Tuesday. Inland Empire deserts will see temps in the low 100s, and Palm Springs is forecast to hit 115 degrees on Saturday during the peak of the heat wave.
Los Angeles will see high temperatures in the low 80s.
“Many of us have been able to get by without running the air conditioner much this year, if at all. That’s about to change,” says Riesmeyer.
Officials are encouraging SoCal residents to avoid heat stress by seeking out shade or air-conditioned locations, drinking more fluids, wearing loose-fitting clothes and using sunscreen to avoid sunburn. They also remind people to look before locking their vehicle, making sure there are no children, elderly people, or pets left behind in the car.
“This will also be a time of increased fire weather concerns as humidity drops and temperatures climb through the 4th of July. Any sparks from fireworks could easily start a fire in the tall grass crop that has turned brown in recent weeks,” NWS warned.
