One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Dry lightning threatens to start new fires as extreme heat returns
The sun sets behind power lines near homes during a heat wave in Los Angeles.
(
Patrick T. Fallon
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Hope you've enjoyed the lovely weather, because it's time to say goodbye. Extreme heat is returning and bringing thunderstorms along with it, which could result in a whole bunch of fire starts throughout our mountains and deserts.
Temperatures will steadily increase over the next couple of days before peaking on Friday and Saturday. Those in the deserts and mountains will get hit the hardest, as highs climb to 110 degrees, while the coastal valley areas see temperatures max out around 105. If you live along the coast, just know that the rest of us are jealous of you, because the marine layer is going to keep you in the downright chilly 70s.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch, which will be in place Friday through Wednesday.
The high pressure system is pulling monsoonal moisture up from the south and south east, which is why you might see quite a few clouds in the sky. Thursday and Saturday will be of the days of biggest concern, as thunderstorms are expected and any rain that falls, especially in the lower mountains, is likely to evaporate, setting the stage for dry lightning.
Listen
0:44
Dry lightning threatens to start new fires as extreme heat returns
July and August is our typical window for monsoon activity. It's also when we've seen especially large wildfires start in our forests following barrages of lightning strikes.
Sponsored message
The recent heat wave cured many fuels to record lows, though the moisture's boosted them back up a bit. Still, if dry lightning strikes throughout the San Bernardinos, San Gabriels and Southern Sierras in the coming days, we could see wildfires run, as erratic winds are expected.
Keep an eye out in Santa Barbara County and along the I-5 corridor, as 40 mph wind gusts could blow through. Both locations have seen substantial fires in recent weeks.
July 2024 could very well be the hottest July on record, especially for California's deserts.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
