LOS ANGELES (CNS) – The Southland’s heat wave could become distinctly
unpleasant today and Saturday because of an injection of moisture that will
produce humid conditions and create a risk of showers and thunderstorms,
forecasters said.
A high-pressure system parked over the southwestern United States will
keep temperature highs at 100 degrees and above in many valley locations, as
well as mountain areas at lower elevations, according to the National Weather
Service.
At the same time,“a southerly flow aloft will moisten the air mass
today and increase humidities over the area,’ said an NWS advisory. “This
will combine with the hot ambient temperatures to create more humid conditions
and possibly produce potentially dangerous heat index values.’
The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels.
“The highest heat index values are expected over the Los Angeles County
valleys and mountains, where values between 100 and 107 are possible,’ the
advisory said. “Such high index values make it difficult to remain cool and
pose a potentially fatal risk for heat illness and fatigue, especially for the
homeless, elderly and people working outdoors.’
The NWS declared an excessive heat watch from Saturday afternoon
through Saturday evening for much of the region. An excessive watch means that
a prolonged period of high temperatures is expected.
“The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to
create a dangerous situation in which heat-related illnesses are possible,’
said an NWS advisory.
Along with making people feel miserable, the high humidity will create the
possibility of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and late tonight into
Saturday, according to the weather service.
“Heavy downpours and flooding will become possible as the air mass
moistens this afternoon,’ the advisory said.
But meteorologists said the chances of thunderstorms would diminish
Sunday, although a slight chance will remain in the Antelope Valley and the
mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The NWS forecast highs today of 78 in Avalon; 80 in Newport Beach and
at LAX; 88 in Long Beach; 91 in downtown L.A.; 92 on Mount Wilson; 94 in San
Gabriel; 96 in Anaheim; 97 in Burbank; 99 in Pasadena; 101 in Woodland Hills
and Newhall; 102 in Palmdale; and 103 in Lancaster.
Temperatures are forecast to drop considerably starting Monday in costal
and metropolitan Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley but not until Tuesday
– and much less sharply — in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope
valleys and the Los Angeles County portion of the San Gabriel Mountains.

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