Record heatwave in California: how long will it last?

After a scorching heat Saturday, California can expect more of the same Sunday and into the week.

Temperatures will reach triple digits in the interior of Southern California as well as in many desert areas and the Central Valley. The mountainous areas of Southland could reach 100. The coast will remain cooler, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

Look ahead

• The extreme heat will continue at least until Monday.
• Excessive heat warnings remain in place statewide, including the Antelope, Coachella, Apple and Lucerne valleys, until 8 p.m. Monday.
• Night and morning temperatures will remain high inland. “Night and morning Low clouds will be confined to the coastal plains at least until Monday, then progress further inland by mid-to-end of the week, ”the National Weather Service said.
• But on Tuesday, conditions will change and a cooling trend will begin. Temperatures could return to normal levels later in the week. “We see a little break starting on Tuesday. But it’s still going to be hot, ”said David Gomberg, National Weather Service meteorologist. Antelope Valley, for example, should stay between 105 and 108 degrees.

Set of records

Palm Springs and Borrego, which hit 120 and 118 degrees respectively, both broke records on Saturday. Palmdale Regional Airport hit a new record for the day at 112 degrees and Lancaster Airport tied its record 113 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

In central California, the Paso Robles airport tied its previous 1961 record of 114 hours by 3 p.m., officials said.

Northern California has also seen scorching temperatures, with Redding reaching 114 degrees and downtown Sacramento reaching 111 degrees.

Officials say more records are possible on Sunday, especially in the Central Valley.

Stay cool

The weather service recommends that people avoid strenuous activities outdoors and stay indoors with air conditioning as much as possible. Drink plenty of water and wear light clothing outside.

Authorities warn that pets and young children should never be left unattended in vehicles, and residents should regularly check on neighbors and the elderly who may not have air conditioning.

Due to the evening flex alert, the grid manager recommends pre-cooling the house by lowering the thermostat earlier in the day, closing sun shades during the day, and taking advantage of solar-powered appliances.

The Los Angeles County Health Department suggests taking a few cool showers throughout the day and using sunscreen.

The town also offers several cooling centers, which can be found on lacounty.gov/heat.

Advice

To stay cool in the next few days, officials recommend the following:

• Drink lots of fluids.
• Stay in air-conditioned rooms or in the shade as much as possible.
• Do not leave children or animals unattended in vehicles.

Among other tips from the National Weather Service:

• Wear light, loose clothing.
• Reschedule strenuous activities to cooler hours in the morning and evening.

Some general tips from county health officials:

• Avoid the sun and stay in a cool indoor place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• If you don’t have air conditioning or can’t afford it, take a cool shower twice a day and go to a cooling center or other air-conditioned place. Even a shady yard or park is better than staying indoors.
• Stay very hydrated. In a heat wave, this means drinking two to four glasses of water every hour.
• Avoid alcohol, reduce physical activity, and don’t exercise outdoors during the hottest hours of the day. If you must work out, be sure to drink juice or sports drinks to replenish the salts and minerals your body loses when you sweat.
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing and a hat if you are going outdoors.
• Check your neighbors, friends and relatives, especially if they are older or do not have air conditioning.