Heat Persists into Thursday for Interior Areas, Weekend Should Be Cooler

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Dangerously hot weather is on tap for interior portions of the Southland Thursday with excessive heat warnings or advisories in place for many areas and triple-digit temperatures still likely in the Antelope Valley.

"A hot weather pattern will continue away from the coast through Thursday," according to the National Weather Service. "The low inland extend of marine layer will keep the heat moderated along the coast, and continue a threat of dense fog each night through morning. A marginally moist air mass will bring a low chance of showers and thunderstorms across the interior portions of the area through Thursday."

An excessive heat warning will be in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains, the Antelope Valley and Antelope Valley foothills and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors in northern L.A. County. Forecasters said temperatures ranging from 95 to 110 degrees are expected in the affected areas, with some areas only dropping to 82 degrees at night.

A less severe heat advisory will in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday in the Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas and the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys. Those areas could see temperatures reaching as high as 105.

Forecasters again warned about the possibly of heat-related illnesses and urged residents to take precautions.

A slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms will persist in an area stretching from the San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley to Ventura County mountains, according to the NWS.

But relief will be on the way by Friday, with forecasters predicting a region-wide temperature drop of five to 10 degrees.

"Low clouds are expected to be more extensive as the marine layer deepens and onshore flow increases," forecasters said.

Cooling will continue into the weekend, with some areas seeing temperatures that are three to seven degrees below normal by Sunday, followed by some gradual increases each day next week.

The city and county of Los Angeles both operate cooling centers for people who need a place to escape the heat. To find a location, visit ready.lacounty.gov/heat/ or call 211. Information on city spots to keep cool is available at www.laparks.org/reccenter and www.lapl.org/branches, and by calling 311.

The city of Los Angeles is operating four "augmented" cooling centers that will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through at least Wednesday. The centers are located at:

-- Fred Roberts Recreation Center, 4700 Honduras St., Los Angeles;

-- Mid Valley Senior Center, 8825 Kester Ave., Panorama City;

-- Lake View Terrace Recreation Center, 11075 Foothill Blvd.;

-- Jim Gilliam Recreation Center, 4000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles; and

-- Lincoln Heights Senior Center, 2323 Workman St.