It'll be hot this weekend and next week in Long Beach

Long Beach city officials are preparing for the first significant heat wave of the summer with high temperatures expected across Los Angeles County Saturday through Wednesday.

Though local temperatures and humidity levels — which form what’s known as a heat index — won’t be high enough for officials to declare an excessive heat watch, Long Beach’s public health staff still urge residents to take precautions.

“We’re monitoring the situation,” said Nelson Kerr, environmental health bureau manager for the city. “We have not met any of our thresholds [for cooling stations] but we stand ready.”

Kerr said it’s important to make sure children, the elderly and pets are monitored closely because they are most vulnerable to high heat, even if a heat emergency has not been declared.

The city’s public health persoel have been reaching out to the local homeless population and have compiled information on where at-risk senior citizens live, he said.

Temperatures are expected to rise with highs near 82 Saturday, 87 Sunday and 90 Monday before falling back into the 70s Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week, according to the National Weather Service.

For more information on how to prepare for hot weather, visit the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services’ webpage.