The seasonal pools are closed. Many playground fountains have been turned off. Along Southern California’s beaches, some lifeguard towers are no longer staffed. Summer is over. But extreme heat is not. Forecasters say a dangerous heat wave is descending across much of Southern California, which is likely to bring triple-digit temperatures that will last at least a week. Hot weather is not unusual in Southern California in October, but typically it lasts two or three days. The extended stretch of extreme heat makes this episode particularly dangerous, experts say.
Extreme heat warnings have been issued from Santa Barbara to San Diego, lasting through at least next Friday. Temperatures in downtown Los Angeles could reach 100 or higher on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Over the weekend, Death Valley National Park could reach 109 degrees. “We’re not going to see a pronounced peak in temperatures this weekend. It’s pretty much going to be hot through the entire week,” said Devin Black, a meteorologist with the Weather Service office in Oxnard, Calif.
County health officials urged residents to stay hydrated and avoid going outdoors during the hottest hours. Daniela Simunovic, the chief heat officer for the City of Los Angeles, said those at greatest risk were children, seniors and pregnant people. “This week is particularly dangerous,” she said. Mr. Torres said high-risk heat conditions have become the norm. “It used to be a season; now it’s year-round,” he said.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing