Heat is forecast to peak today
Inland valleys could reach 107 amid prime wildfire weather; relief is expected by Thursday
Very hot weather is expected to persist in the inland areas of Southern California throughout the week, forecasters say.
High temperatures are expected to peak today throughout much of the region, according to the National Weather Service, when parts of the Inland Empire and San Fernando Valley are expected to reach highs between 98 and 107 degrees.
Temperatures are expected to drop off a bit Wednesday, but a more significant cooldown won’t take place until Thursday at the earliest, said Tom Fisher, a weather service meteorologist in Los Angeles.
Relative humidity levels are expected to range as low as 5%-15% throughout the San Fernando Valley as well, Fisher said. Much of Southern California is experiencing critical fire weather this week as a result of dry, hot and gusty conditions.
Woodland Hills can expect the highest mark for the San Fernando Valley today with a forecast high of 104, Fisher said.
Hemet is projected to reach 107 today and San Bernardino 106, according to Stefanie Sullivan, meteorologist with the weather service in San Diego.
The heat wave is the result of a high pressure system over Southern California since the start of the week, both meteorologists explained.
“It’s the typical Four Corners high pressure system [over Southern California currently]
and then it will migrate back east by the end of the week,” Fisher said.
Inland Orange County cities like Fullerton and Yorba Linda can expect temperatures to reach the mid-90s today, Sullivan said.
The Santa Clarita Valley can also expect some gusty onshore winds today, Fisher said
Expected high temperatures today:
Dana Point, 75 degrees; Fullerton: 91 degrees; Long Beach: 85 degrees; downtown Los Angeles:
87 degrees; San Fernando Valley: 98-104 degrees; San Bernardino: 106 degrees; Torrance: 84 degrees; Redlands: 104 degrees; Riverside: 103 degrees; Whittier: 95 degrees.