Southern California braces for another September heat wave
LOS ANGELES — In many parts of Southern California, summer is officially over.
The mercury climbed to 109 degrees on Friday, three degrees above the threshold that’s forecast by weather forecasters to spell more hot days ahead. By Saturday it could reach 111.
Not all areas are at risk, however.
In the Los Angeles area, the mercury is expected to dip Thursday. Forecasters say an average high of 107 degrees is possible.
In the San Joaquin Valley, one of several areas where high temperatures are expected this weekend, the mercury is forecast to dip to as low as 107 Monday, but not below.
But in the mountains and foothills of the San Gabriel Valley where the mercury is expected to reach up to 111 Friday, and 108 Sunday, those are the conditions they would like to see.
The National Weather Service says people who do not have air conditioning or who do not leave windows cracked will want to put on a long-sleeved shirt and pants and take a fan with them. The agency urges them to drink plenty of water.
The forecast is slightly cooler than the record high of 117 degrees set in 1942.
The National Weather Service issued a heat warning for the entire San Joaquin Valley on Friday. The agency says the temperatures are expected to be 115 degrees on Thursday, 106 degrees on Friday and 108 on Saturday.
The service also warned of dangerous heat and power outages and urged those living without air conditioning to take precautions to protect themselves.
The service said there is a 90 percent chance for thunderstorms, including strong ones, in the area.
If you do not have air conditioning, the agency says, you should not open windows or turn off the air conditioning.
Other forecasters have issued flash flood warnings in the L.A. area. The agency recommends leaving your windows open.
Even if you
