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It's Getting Hot In Here, Los Angeles
Heat wave (Photo by Gamma Infinity via the LAist Featured Photos pool)
If you don't have A/C or a pool, you might want to consider finding a friend who does this weekend. SoCal is having a heat wave with temperatures hitting up to 100 degrees in some areas—and it could potentially even set some high-heat records.
The heat wave began on Thursday and is expected to steadily creep up over the weekend and then start cooling down on Monday, according to the L.A. Times. Downtown is expected to peak in the mid-90s and the valleys at around 100 degrees. A heat alert was issued for the areas of San Gabriel, San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys and the Los Angeles Basin.
Officials said that if temperatures continue to rise, they could potentially break records that were set in 1971, where downtown was at 100 degrees and Woodlands Hills at 107.
The dry air and high temperatures will make SoCal more susceptible to wildfires. However, high winds, which are a major component in spreading wildfires, are not expected, reported City News Service.
"When temperatures are high, even a few hours of exertion may cause severe dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke," Jeffery Gunzenhauser, the interim health officer for LA County, told NBC Los Angeles. "Others who are frail or have chronic health conditions may develop serious health problems leading to death if they are exposed to high temperatures over several days."
If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke, contact 9-1-1. Also, here are some tips on how to deal with a heat stroke and how to recognize symptoms of one.
Stay cool, hydrated, and whatever you do, don't leave your kids or pets in the car.
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