Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Flex Alert Issued As Temperatures Reach 105 In Parts Of Southern California
Umbrellas take over Santa Monica Beach as people head to the shoreline to beat the heat on Sept. 5, 2021.
(
Frederic J. Brown
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
In anticipation of temperatures that are expected to reach well over 100 degrees throughout California, a statewide Flex alert has been issued for Wednesday, from 4 to 9 p.m.
The California Independent System Operator, which operates most of the state’s power grid, said in a statement that they expect increased use of electricity from air conditioners during that time.
In response, they’re asking residents to do their part to make sure that the grid isn’t overtaxed.
“Consumers are urged to conserve electricity, especially during the late afternoon and early evening, when the grid is most stressed due to higher demand and less solar energy,” officials said in the statement.
The California ISO’s recommendations for conserving energy include:
- Precooling your home before 4 p.m.
- Using major appliances, such as the washer, dryer and dishwasher, earlier in the day
- Setting the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher after 4 p.m.
- Turning off unnecessary lights after 4 p.m.
Temperatures near Bakersfield could reach 105 Wednesday through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. An excessive heat warning has been issued in that area for Wednesday.
Sponsored message
Hot weather thru Wed with heat advisories for interior and mtn areas of San Luis Obispo Co. and the Cuyama Valley. Highs 95-103 with warm overnight temps. Stay hydrated! Very warm for other valleys from SBA to LA County all week. #CAwx #LAheat pic.twitter.com/R3foCpNdAe
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) August 16, 2022
Further south, near Lancaster, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga and Victorville, temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s or low 100s throughout the rest of the week.
Tips to stay cool
- Kiddie pool
- Lotions in the fridge
- Eat spicy foods in the basement (or on the floor) while wearing a damp shirt and listening to the rain setting on your white noise machine
- Make sure ceiling fans are running counterclockwise
- Wet paper towels. Fold into ankle and wrist cuffs. Freeze. Wear. Repeat.
- Build a DIY AC
- Build a mini cold air fan
- Build an "evaporative cooler for immediate heat relief"
- Make a barricade of fans and ice cubes
- Go to an air-conditioned store and browse for as long as possible (Target is a good option for this).
- Close all the curtains, preferably the heat-absorbing kind
- Or open all the windows, depending on the breeze situation
- Cool bath or shower twice a day
- Wash your sheets before bed but don't dry them — put them on your bed damp (provided you're dealing with a dry heat)
- Portable A/C unit
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
