Another Heat Wave Descends on Southland; Fire Risk Elevated

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Another heat wave will drive up temperatures across the Southland starting Friday, accompanied by a chance of "dry thunderstorms" with the potential for fire-igniting lightning strikes.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning of critical fire danger that will take effect at noon Thursday and remain in place until 8 p.m. Friday in the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, Antelope Valley foothills and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors.

Forecasters said the warning is primarily due to the "increasing risk of isolated dry thunderstorms, capable of lightning-induced ignitions with little to no precipitation." Such storms could also produce "erratic" winds gusting from 45 to 60 mph that could rapidly spread any fires that do erupt. The conditions are exacerbated by "recently extended heat waves and rapidly drying fuels," forecasters said.

The risk of thunderstorms is expected to be highest Thursday afternoon through Friday, according to the NWS.

The high pressure system bringing the heat to the area is expected to remain in place through much of next week, with temperatures slowly increasing daily. The increases could lead "to dangerous and significant heat risks across the interior by as early as Saturday or Sunday and lasting for several days," according to the NWS.

Forecasters said that by Sunday or Monday, temperatures in the Antelope Valley and some other areas, will approach 110, while warmer coastal valleys will be in the area of 105 degrees -- about 10 degrees above normal.

An excessive heat watch has been issued for the Santa Ana mountains and foothill regions in Orange County from Saturday until Tuesday evening. Dangerously hot temperatures from the mid-90s to 102 are in the forecast.

As usual, the coast will be the best place to avoid the heat, with temperatures only rising about one to three degrees above normal, according to the NWS.