By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
As temperatures begin to climb, Los Angeles County Health Officers has issued excessive heat warnings, including for West and East Santa Monica Mountains, which started September 4 and are expected to continue through Monday, September 9, at 8 p.m.
“Los Angeles is experiencing a classic setup for very high temperatures, possibly record temperatures, to occur from Thursday into Saturday,” wrote Craig Weston, who tracks weather data from the Huntington. “High pressure over the California Desert region, coupled with an offshore flow to keep the marine layer at bay, is creating conditions for temperatures to be as much as 25 degrees above normal.”
At the time this story published, Pacific Palisades was expected to see a high of 104 degrees on Thursday, September 5, and a high of 102 degrees on Friday, September 6. The temperature was predicted to reach 97 on Saturday, September 7, and 100 on Sunday, September 8. The last day of the excessive heat warning—Monday, September 9—was predicted to reach 98 degrees.
“Pacific Palisades is almost guaranteed to break its 82 degree high reading for this year set on January 28,” Weston continued. “Woodland Hills could see temperatures of 100 to 117 degrees. The highest reading for Woodland Hills occurred on September 6, 2020, at 121 degrees. Since 2014, the highest temperature recorded in Pacific Palisades was 107 degrees on July 6, 2018.”
Lows were expected to remain in the upper 70s on Thursday and Friday, predicted to be 78 and 76, respectively.
National Weather Service also issued a Fire Weather Watch beginning Thursday, September 5, at 12 p.m. through Saturday evening for “all mountains,” due to “extreme heat and dry conditions with locally gusty winds.” The watch had the potential to be converted to a Red Flag Warning, NWS reported.
Sports across Southern California are being rescheduled or moved to the early morning hours or later in the evening due to the high temperatures, Weston explained.
“Public Health reminds everyone to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, especially older adults, young children, pregnant people, outdoor workers, athletes and those with a chronic medical condition who are more at risk for negative health impacts from extreme heat,” the department wrote in a statement.
Public Health issued a list of recommendations, including to stay hydrated, avoid going outside during the hottest hours, wear sunscreen, be aware of heat illness, check on at-risk people and prepare for power outages.
“If we make sure to stay hydrated and keep cool, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones, friends and neighbors,” said LA County Health Officer Muntu Davis, MD, MPH. “If you have an elderly or unwell family member or neighbor, check on them regularly to ensure they are safe and well.”
Editor’s note: The story was updated to reflect the extension of the excessive heat warning through Monday, September 9.