Southern California and the Central Valley are slated to experience a heatwave this week, triggering heat advisories and risks of wildfires as mountain areas receive a chance of thunderstorms starting Tuesday, June 23.
The National Weather Service said that temperatures would reach highs of up to triple digits in areas surrounding the valleys. High temperatures are also expected in Los Angeles amid the upcoming World Cup games.
Mountains and the interior in Ventura County will be under a moderate fire risk from June 23-25, while Los Angeles County mountains and deserts will be under a major risk of fire weather because of a chance of thunderstorms.
What should Californians expect?
How hot will it be in California?
The Santa Clarita, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys are slated to reach temperatures in the mid- to upper-90s, with deserts further east possibly reaching triple digits, according to a National Weather Service forecast.
The agency forecast “unseasonably hot conditions” with temperatures in the mid- to upper-80s in downtown Los Angeles and in the low 80s in Inglewood, where a World Cup match will be hosted.
Heat advisories will be in effect for both the Los Angeles area and the valleys starting 8 a.m. on June 23 through 9 p.m. on June 25, according to the weather agency.
Temperatures are expected to peak on June 24 and start to cool on June 25. Higher humidity in the afternoons may also add to heat-related discomfort.
There is a 5-15% chance of elevated showers and thunderstorms in the mountain areas of Los Angeles County from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday evening. The storms — coupled with winds between 15-25 mph and frequent gusts of 25-40 mph in the mountains and Antelope Valley, and low humidity of about 5-15% around drying fuels — add to the risk of wildfires.
Ventura County mountains and interior may see similar conditions without the chance of thunderstorms.
The agency predicts a 20-30% chance of the mountains reaching Red Flag Warning criteria starting the night of June 22 into the evening of June 23.
What is a heat dome?
A heat dome is not an official weather term but is often confused with heatwaves, said Devin Black, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office.
A heat dome is lingering high temperatures through an area caused by high-pressure systems, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The term has become popular to describe persistent heat in focused areas, but is not an actual term used by the weather agency.
How to stay safe during the heat
The heat in areas of Southern California is particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations.
The National Weather Service has provided tips to prepare for the heat, stay cool, and help out when heatstroke occurs.
How to prepare for a heatwave:
What to do in a heatwave:
Someone suffering from heatstroke may seem confused, experience dizziness, and may fall unconscious. When treating someone for heatstroke, make sure to call 911, move the victim to a cooler area, remove any extra layers, loosen clothing, and cool them down with water or an ice pack, the weather service said.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Heatwave expected to bring high temps across Southern California
Reporting by Ernesto Centeno Araujo, USA TODAY Network / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ernesto Centeno Araujo, USA TODAY Network | USA TODAY Network
