A heat wave forecast to hit Southern California this weekend will also bring humid and windy conditions, leading to an elevated risk of wildfires.
“High pressure is sitting right where high pressure does the most damage. Right over the Four Corners,” KTLA Meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said.
Friday is expected to be a hot day with temperatures warming each afternoon, potentially leading to dangerous heat risks inland by Sunday or Monday and continuing through most of next week, the National Weather Service stated.
Afternoon highs are expected to be between 100 to 110 degrees in some mountain, desert and inland valley locations.
Interior coastal areas could also climb to between 90 and 105 degrees, according to the Weather Service.
Forecasters are concerned with more than just the hot temperatures as clouds are also moving in from the east.
“So now we get the heat, we get the humidity, we get a very uncomfortable forecast through the weekend for most inland areas, and a chance of thunderstorms as well,” said Henry, who described this weekend as likely to have a “tropical feeling.”
In addition, gusty winds will be picking up in our mountain areas leading to elevated fire danger.
A red flag warning is in place until 8 p.m. Friday for possible thunderstorms over the mountains and deserts of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
“There is an increasing risk for lightning-caused fire ignitions. With gusty outflow wind potential, conditions are also favorable for extreme fire behavior and growth ignition occurs,” the Weather Service stated.
Residents are urged to use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire. Those living near wildland areas should also be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire starts.
Information can be found on readyforwildfire.org and wildfirerisk.org.
