A Heat Dome Is Kickstarting Summer In The Southland. Here's How To Prepare

The summer heat season has arrived to Southern California, and looks like the first significant heat wave of the year will be a powerful one.

While coastal areas will stay cooler, inland desert, valley and mountain areas will be in the high 90s and low 100s.

The heat is expected to be highest here Wednesday through Friday. But higher-than-normal temperatures for this time of year could last the next 10 to 14 days .

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the high and low desert, including the Antelope Valley, Apple and Lucerne valleys and Coachella Valley.

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Courtesy NWS

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The higher-than-normal temperatures are because of a heat dome, which is when a large area of high pressure and warm air settles over a region for days or weeks at a time.

The highest temperatures are expected in northern California and the Central Valley, which could see temperatures as much as 20 degrees above normal for this time of year, with high temperatures expected in the 110s, said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain .

Experts say the El Niño climate pattern, though weakening by now, is driving the heat dome, as is human-caused climate change. These types of heat events are expected to become longer and more frequent if the world continues burning fossil fuels at the rate we are currently.

The higher temperatures are also driving worse air quality in the Southland, particularly ozone. While ozone is good when it stays high up in the stratosphere, it’s not so good when it forms on the ground because it’s bad for our health. Ozone is formed when the pollution from vehicle tailpipes mixes with sunlight and heat, so it tends to get worse this time of year as things heat up. The combination of sunny weather year round and our car culture are reasons why L.A. has some of the worst ozone pollution in the country .

How to protect yourself

These heat waves can be really dangerous, even deadly, especially when our bodies haven’t acclimated yet, so be sure you’re hydrating and taking it easy when outside. Also, know of some cool places to go if that’s not at home and be prepared in case of an unexpected power outage .

Fire risk is higher during these hot days as well, so be careful if you’re lighting the BBQ or other potential fire starters. See below for more heat safety tips.

Heat Safety Tips