Southern California Heat Warning to Last Until Thursday, With Relief Expected Friday

The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for Southern California that covers the foothills between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties and inland deserts. The alert is scheduled to remain in effect until Thursday evening. Temperatures on Tuesday are forecast to rise 3 to 6 degrees across much of the Los Angeles Basin and as much as 8 to 10 degrees in the Antelope Valley compared with Monday readings.

Highs away from the coast are expected to range from 90 to 105 degrees by Wednesday in most of the region, with Woodland Hills in the San Fernando Valley projected to reach 110 degrees. The Antelope Valley could approach 110 degrees and Santa Clarita is forecast to hit 105 or 106 degrees. Overnight lows are expected to stay in the 70s, offering little relief.

The warning notes that humid conditions will add to the heat and that effects will build through the week. Several wildfires have broken out across the state in the last week. The Zebra fire started Monday around 7 p.m.

Near State Route 39 and Mountain Laurel Way in Azusa, closed the highway at Sierra Madre Highway, and had burned 25 acres by Monday night. Public health officials state that heat-related illnesses such as exhaustion and heatstroke increase during extreme heat.

The first sign that may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke is heat cramps, which the National Weather Service describes as painful muscle cramps and spasms usually occurring in the legs and abdomen followed by heavy sweating.

Temperatures are expected to begin dropping Friday.