Record heat bakes northern reaches of LA County

Record-setting heat baked parts of northern Los Angeles County Tuesday, prompting warnings for residents to take precautions, but cooler conditions are expected later in the week.

“A persistent ridge of high pressure aloft over the region will result in very warm to hot temperatures from the valleys and inland through Tuesday with some cooling on Wednesday,” according to the National Weather Service.

An excessive heat warning took effect in the Antelope Valley at 9 a.m. and will remain in place until 10 p.m.

Lancaster reached a high temperature of 109 degrees Wednesday, breaking the 1945 record for the date of 107. In Palmdale, the high reached 107, breaking the record of 106 set in 1964. Sandberg reached a high of 98, breaking the 1991 record of 96 degrees, according to the NWS.

A less-severe excessive heat advisory will be in effect until 10 p.m. in the Santa Clarita Valley and Los Angeles County mountains, where temperatures also reached the triple digits.

“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” forecasters advised. “Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.”

The NWS also issued its standard warnings against strenuous outdoor activity and urged people to wear lightweight clothing and know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Forecasters said, “slight cooling” is expected in the area by this weekend, but another warming trend is on tap for next week.

More from Environment