Plan on another day of hot, dry conditions -- including a Red Flag warning in the Santa Barbara mountains -- before a cooldown arrives in Southern California for the weekend.
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Thursday marks the third consecutive day of triple-digit temperatures for some parts of the region. Readings about 10 degrees above normal are expected Thursday in the valleys and foothills.
The hot, dry conditions and strong wind gusts prompted a Red Flag warning for Santa Barbara County mountain areas. The warning indicates critical fire conditions as sundowner winds -- powerful gusts that occur at sunset -- are expected in mountain and canyon areas. Wind gusts might reach 40 mph.
The sundowners can accelerate a fire after ignition, causing it to spread rapidly in mountain areas.
Highs of 106 degrees are forecast in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.
The National Weather Service forecasts highs Thursday of 77 in Newport Beach; 79 in Avalon; 80 at LAX; 94 in Long Beach, Downtown L.A and on Mount Wilson; 98 in Anaheim; 99 in Burbank and San Gabriel; 101 in Pasadena, Palmdale and Lancaster; and 106 in Woodland Hills and Newhall.
Temperatures will dip Friday, then make another drop during the weekending. Readings about 5 degrees below normal are forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
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