The latest heat wave that swept the Southern California region will peak Wednesday, with temperatures going as high as 16 degrees above average, forecasters said.
The Inland Empire as well as the Santa Clarita, San Fernando, San Gabriel Valleys are expected to sizzle with near-100-degree temperatures as a heat advisory will remain in effect through Friday 9 p.m.
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WATCH HERE“When we get to the hottest temperatures in Riverside, we are forecasting 96 degrees, 16 degrees above normal,” NBC Los Angeles Meteorologist Belen de Leon said. “In Downtown LA, the forecast is 88 degrees. That’s 14 degrees above normal.”
After the heat peak, temperatures will begin to come down Thursday and Friday, setting the stage for a pleasant Memorial Day weekend, de Leon said.
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SIGN UP “In Van Nuys, we’ve got 96 degrees (Wednesday) and it's still a hot one on Friday, but through Saturday, the numbers will come down even more to 81 degrees, so that’s a difference of 15 degrees,” the meteorologist said.
Before the cool-down, parts of Southern California, including San Joaquin Valley and Central Sierra Foothills, are under a fire weather watch through Thursday morning due to strong winds and low humidity.
Onshore flow will increase Thursday and Friday, bringing a return of the marine layer by Friday and quickly bringing down temperatures to more normal levels. A "big cooling'' is on tap for Saturday.
"This cooling will bring most coast/valley areas down to a few degrees below normal,'' according to the NWS. "The strong onshore flow will bring gusty winds to the mountains, the Central Coast and the western Antelope
Valley and foothills.''
Forecasters said a slight bump up in temperatures is anticipated Sunday.
