Record temperatures reached in Downtown LA, Woodland Hills
Temperatures soared across Southern California on Saturday, May 10, smashing records as the region experienced the peak of a spring heat wave.
“Record highs reached so far today: Woodland Hills (currently 100, record 99 set in 1988) and downtown LA (currently 95, record 95 set in 1934). Temperatures still rising,” the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office posted at about 12:30 p.m.
Final numbers for any records will be released after 5 p.m.
Other valley areas saw temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s, with highs at Los Angeles and Orange County beaches in the 80s.
The NWS said a ridge of high pressure spinning off the Northern California coast made its way south Friday night, impacting all of Southern California for the weekend, fueling temperatures 20 to 25 degrees above average for this time of year.
“As the ridge begins to slide eastward tonight into Sunday, afternoon temperatures begin to cool off, but still remain 15 to 20 degrees above normal,” the NWS announced.
A heat advisory was in effect through at least 9 p.m. Saturday for the Santa Clarita Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley. Forecasters warned of a heightened risk of heat illness for sensitive populations, such as the very young, the very old and people without air conditioning.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the NWS advised. “Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
One person suffered heat exhaustion Saturday while hiking in the Hollywood Hills and had to be hospitalized. Firefighters and paramedics dispatched at 11:11 a.m. to 3824 Mount Lee Drive conducted a hoist operation to extraction the man from the location, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported.
In Long Beach, Southern California Edison reported that more than 5,300 customers were still without power in the early afternoon from an outage that was reported at about 9:10 a.m. Officials did not have an approximate time of complete restoration.
At Santa Anita Park, heat protocols were in place for the second consecutive day, including ice buckets and hoses throughout the grounds. “Additionally, riders will be legged up in the saddling barn, horses will go directly to the track and post parades will be shortened,” track officials said.
Temperatures were expected to drop into the 80s on Sunday before a more substantial cooling trend sets in for the rest of the week and into next weekend.
“The high-pressure ridge will shift east late Saturday into Sunday allowing cooler air from the ocean to surge inland,” according to the NWS. “The timing of this surge will determine how much temperatures drop on Sunday.”
Some temperatures could still reach the 90s on Sunday in the valleys.
The Pasadena Fire Department urged residents to take precautions at home to prevent fires in dried vegetation in the aftermath of January’s deadly Eaton Fire. People were urged to trim vegetation around their homes, remove dry brush, dead trees and anything that can catch fire within 100 feet of the homes and 10 feet of roadways.
In the Inland Empire, temperatures climbed into triple digits, with more extreme heat expected Sunday before a cooling trend sets in, the NWS said.
A heat advisory was issued for Riverside County valleys and areas including Riverside, Corona, Rancho Cucamonga and Moreno Valley until at least 9 p.m. Saturday, according to the weather service.
Highs in the Riverside metropolitan area Saturday reached 100 degrees, with lows expected to drop to 70. Forecasters predicted temperatures in the area would reach 96 on Sunday, with an overnight low of 60.
Temecula reached a high of 98 Saturday with overnight temperatures expected to drop to 65. On Sunday, Temecula was predicted to reach 92 with a low of 55, according to the NWS.
Hemet reached 102 on Saturday with temperatures expected in the mid-60s overnight. Sunday temperatures in the area were expected to reach 96 and drop to 57 by night.
In the Coachella Valley, the daytime mercury Saturday reached 106, expected to dip to the mid-70s at night, with a similar temperature band on Sunday.
Meteorologists said the high pressure will give way to several low pressure troughs starting Monday, leading to a gradual cooling trend, a return of deep marine layers over the western half of the inland region and the possibility of light rain next week.