Baking in the LBC: Weather Tips

A heat wave washing over Southern California will continue to drive up the mercury today, with a 94 degree high forecast for Long Beach and humidity that had reached more than 50% by noon. 

Remaining quite comfortable in the low to mid-80s, the beaches will likely be packed this weekend with inland refugees of the heat, expected to climb to more than 100 degrees in many Southern California communities, reports the National Weather Service. http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.7523035&lon=-118.12982340000002&site=all&smap=1&sear...

The heat wave - not helped by a regional Southern California Edison power outage Friday that impacted more than 65,000 in Long Beach, Cypress and La Mirada alone - has raised fears of heat-related illnesses and wildfires amid record and near-record temperatures.

A wealth of tips for staying cool and Long Beach cooling centers can be found here. http://belmontshore.patch.com/groups/gerrie-schipskes-blog/p/city-health-officer-reminds-residents-t... 

The most essential tips: Drink lots of water; take care of elders, children and pets including checking on neighbors; NEVER leave any person or pet unattended in a vehicle, and take it easy.

 Excessive heat warnings already issued by the National Weather Service for the San Gabriel mountains and the Antelope Valley go into effect at 10 a.m. Saturday for the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel Valleys. The warnings were intended to expire at 9 p.m. Sunday, but, with a strong upper-level ridge of high pressure parked over the region, they could be extended into early next week, NWS forecasters said.

 Areas of low clouds and fog at Los Angeles County beaches Saturday morning were expected to give way to sunny skies, with high temperatures ranging from the low to mid-80s along the coast to 100 inland, according to the NWS. Afternoon temperatures could top out at 114 in the Antelope Valley, 108 in the mountains, and 106 in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, according to the NWS. Forecasters said the humidity would make daytime temperatures seem even higher and that overnight temperatures will dip only to the high 70s or low 80s. The heat wave raises serious health concerns, according to NWS forecasters.

``Children, the elderly and people with chronic ailments are the most susceptible to heat-related illness. Heat exhaustion, cramps or in extreme cases heat stroke can result from prolonged exposure to these conditions,'' warned an NWS advisory. ``In addition, with very dry vegetation, fire danger will also be on the rise.

Be extra cautious with outdoor activities that may result in fire ignitions.'' Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, issued a heat alert beginning Friday for the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys, continuing through Monday. ``Everyone should remember to take special care of themselves, children, the elderly and their pets,'' Fielding said. ``Extreme heat such as this is not just an inconvenience, it can be dangerous and even deadly.'' Air quality on Friday was designated unhealthful for sensitive groups in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. People who work or play outdoors during the heat wave should schedule frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned areas, according to the NWS. ``Heat stroke is an emergency -- call 911,'' it urged. Those seeking relief by visiting area beaches were being warned of above- normal surf and dangerous rip currents resulting from a long-period southerly swell. An NWS advisory also reminded motorists to never leave children, the elderly or pets in closed vehicles, even briefly or with windows cracked open.

 The NWS forecast calls for highs Saturday of 84 in Avalon; 82 in Newport Beach; 85 at LAX; 94 in Long Beach; 94 on Mt. Wilson; 95 in downtown L.A.; 101 in San Gabriel and Burbank; 101 in Anaheim; 102 in Pasadena; 106 in Woodland Hills; 107 in Saugus; 109 in Palmdale; and 110 in Lancaster. Slightly higher temperatures are forecast for Sunday. NWS Meteorologist Curt Kaplan said temperatures will begin dropping slightly on Monday into the middle of next week. The trend will continue through the end of the week, ``but it will still be very warm for this time of year,'' he said. ``We will see very little relief,'' Kaplan said.

--City News Service and Nancy Wride contributed to this report.