Weather

Extreme Heat, Wild Temperature Swing Hit Montrose-La Crescenta

As extreme heat and Santa Ana Wind conditions buffet Los Angeles, a wild swing in temperatures headed this way.

As extreme heat and Santa Ana Wind conditions buffet Los Angeles, a wild swing in temperatures headed this way.
As extreme heat and Santa Ana Wind conditions buffet Los Angeles, a wild swing in temperatures headed this way. (File Photo: Shutterstock)

MONTROSE-LA CRESCENTA, CA — Abnormally high temperatures cooked the Southland Tuesday, triggering a heat advisory and a fire danger level of "very high" for this second day of Fall. However, the end of the week will look nothing like the start of the week with cool temps and a chance of rain on the way.

The U.S. Forest Service raised the danger level in the Angeles National Forest to "very high" because of an elevated danger of wildfire while the national Weather Service warned of heat-related illnesses. The extreme heat will be followed by an extreme drop in temperatures by the end of the week - a wild near 30-degree swing in some parts of Los Angeles. In Woodland Hills, the tuesday high topped 103-degrees, but NWS meteorologists expect a chance of rain and a high of 77 degrees by Friday.

"Very high temperatures will create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible," warned an NWS statement, adding that in Tuesday's weather, people or pets must not be left in parked vehicles because interior temperatures "can quickly rise to life-threatening levels," even if windows are partially open.

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The NWS issued a heat advisory that will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys as well as the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area.
"A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected," warned the NWS statement. "The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors."

Also, "limit outdoor activities, especially during the hottest part of the day; drink plenty of fluids, avoiding cafeine and alcohol; dress in loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing," the NWS recommended.

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In a separate statement, the weather service warned that "temperatures will warm significantly" Tuesday "as Santa Ana winds develop across the area. This will be followed by a notable cooling trend and a chance of light rain late in the week and into the weekend."
In the meantime, gusts as strong as 45 miles per hour may whip across mountain areas, and some communities will reach triple-digit territory or close to it. Highs are expected to hit 92 degrees in Downtown L.A., 94 in Yorba Linda, 98 in San Gabriel, 99 in Burbank, 100 in Pasadena and Saugus and 102 in Woodland Hills.

Temperatures in some communities will be 10 degrees or more above normal, said NWS meteorologist Kristen Stewart. Downtown L.A., where 82 is the normal high, will reach 92 Tuesday. Burbank, normally 85, will hit 99 degrees. She said the high heat and "low to moderate" Santa Ana Winds would combine to create "elevated fire danger" amid humidity levels of 8-15 percent near the coast.

The U.S. Forest Service, meanwhile, announced from its regional offices in Arcadia that with immediate effect, the Fire Danger Level will be raised to "Very High" across the Angeles National Forest.

"With annual grasses cured, temperatures rising, relative humidity dropping and fire activity across the state increasing, fire management officials have decided to raise the fire danger level," according to a U.S Forest Service statement. "Elevating the fire danger enhances public awareness that wildfire probability increases as temperatures rise and brush dries out."

But in spite of the new designation, there are no new campfire restrictions. Open wood and charcoal fires will still be permitted in approved developed campgrounds and picnic areas where a steel ring or stoves are provided. Propane or jellied gas stoves and grills are permitted in non- developed areas with a valid California Campfire Permit. Smoking is allowed in enclosed vehicles or developed recreation sites only.

"Drivers in the forest should stay on designated roads and never park on dry brush or grass, to avoid the risk of starting a fire. Human-caused wildfires account for 94 percent of all wildfires on the Angeles National Forest, which damage natural resources and threaten lives and property."

The possibility of increased fire conditions prompted Southern California Edison to warn customers about potential "Public Safety Power Shutoffs" aimed at reducing the risk fires. Edison officials noted that the power cuts — which would de-energize lines that might be in danger of being damaged in high-wind conditions — are only "under consideration." According to the utility, 89,500 customers throughout SCE's service area live in the neighborhoods being considered for potential rolling power cuts.

In Los Angeles County, there are roughly 9,000 customers facing possible cuts, primarily in the northern reaches of the county such as Lancaster, Palmdale, along with areas including Acton, Agua Dulce, Littlerock, Llano, Leona Valley and Pearblossom.

The NWS by 9:30 a.m. had not issued any red flag warnings, and no special parking restrictions on hilly L.A. streets were requested by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

THIS WEEK'S FORECAST FOR MONTROSE-LA CRESCENTA:

This Afternoon
Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight
Clear, with a low around 73. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 88. North northeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.

Friday Night
A slight chance of showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.

City News Service and Patch Staffer contributed to this report.


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