Heat wave makes Long Beach warmer than you're used to

LOS ANGELES — At the peak of a Southland heat wave, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning today for the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles and Ventura counties and the foothills in the Antelope Valley.

The warning, which denotes a heightened risk of wildfire, was the first issued since the region’s heat wave began Saturday.

Even though the heat wave has been projected to end Wednesday, forecasters said today that an “elevated fire danger” will exist in inland areas through Thursday because a hot and dry air mass is parked overhead, and a strengthening onshore flow will generate gusty winds.

No other red flag warnings were immediately issued, but “elevated fire danger” will persist in interior sections of Ventura County and some foothill areas, according to the NWS.

Temperatures will rise today, then decline a few degrees in coming days. The heat wave is the result of an upper-level high-pressure system combined with weakening onshore flow, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures into the triple digits are expected across the Antelope, Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys as well as in the foothills and the San Gabriel Mountains at lower elevations.

“The prolonged heat wave will likely result in an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for the homeless, elderly, infants and anyone participating in outdoor activities,” according to the NWS.

Forecasters urged residents to stay well-hydrated, wear light-colored lightweight clothing, stay indoors when temperatures are at their highest and never leave people or pets in parked vehicles in hot weather, even for a short time. People with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory diseases who live or work in high-heat areas are especially urged to minimize outdoor activities.

The NWS forecast suy skies today and the following highs in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties:

Avalon: 79

Big Bear: 84

Burbank: 97

Downtown L.A.: 89

Lancaster: 103

LAX: 80

Long Beach: 90

Mount Wilson: 93

North Hollywood: 96

Northridge: 104

Ontario: 102

Palmdale: 102

Pasadena: 99

Rancho Cucamonga: 100

Redlands: 103

San Bernardino: 103

San Gabriel: 95

San Pedro: 77

Santa Clarita: 102

Torrance: 80

Van Nuys: 99

West Covina: 98

Whittier: 94

Woodland Hills: 105

Sunday’s high in Woodland Hills was 102.

Temperature will be around three degrees lower Tuesday, stay the same or drop another couple of degrees Wednesday, then remain roughly at the same level for a few days more.

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In downtown L.A., for example, the 7-day NWS forecast shows highs of 89 today, 85 Tuesday, 83 Wednesday, 81 Thursday, 79 Friday, 81 Saturday and 82 Sunday. At the same time, Woodland Hills’ highs, 105 today, are forecast to be 101 Tuesday, 97 Wednesday, 94 Thursday, 92 Friday, 94 Saturday and 95 Sunday.

Yorba Linda, currently Orange County’s warmest community, is forecast to have highs of 98 today, 95 Tuesday, 91 Wednesday, 90 Thursday, 88 Friday and Saturday, and 89 Sunday.