Triple-digit temps will hit Southern California after Fourth of July
LOS ANGELES – The Fourth of July will be comfortable, but hot temperatures are expected to arrive afterwards in Southern California.
Record-breaking heat is possible across the region, with temperatures starting to rise Thursday and through the weekend, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service.
Much warmer weather on the way for late this coming week! High fire danger likely due to hot, dry and windy conditions starting Thursday. #CAwx #LAheat #SoCal https://t.co/c9raj6jaZs
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) July 1, 2018
Independence Day will have highs along the beaches generally in the 70s; in the 80s for Orange and Los Angeles county valleys, and the upper 80s and low 90s for Riverside and San Bernardino County valley areas.
Then highs above 100 are forecast for most of Southern California, except for near the ocean, just as the weekend begins, forecasters said.
Temperatures for Friday and Saturday are predicted to reach from the high 90s into the 103-to-105 degree ranges for the Santa Clarita, San Fernando, and San Gabriel valleys in Los Angeles County.
For Riverside and San Bernardino county valleys, Friday highs of 102 to 108 degrees are forecast, with temperatures at 101 to 107 for Saturday.
Inland Orange County has highs forecast at 96 to 101 degrees for Friday and highs up to 97 for Saturday.
A strong high pressure is expected set up in the Four Corners region late in the week, and will push hot, dry desert air towards Los Angeles, forecasters said. This will combine with surface winds flowing from the north,and may support record heat for portions of the area.
Gusty north winds will scorch the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties and will likely support elevated fire conditions for many areas Thursday through Sunday, forecasters said.
Critical fire weather conditions are held possible at times for the Santa Clarita, Grapevine and Acton areas.
And to the south, increasing tropical activity in the Eastern Pacific may bring high surf and strong rip currents to exposed south-facing beaches as early as Wednesday evening.
High surf may continue through Saturday, the NWS said.
SCNG writer Richard K. De Atley contributed to this report