With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Your SoCal weather report for Wednesday, July 3: Heat wave in full swing into next week

-
- Today’s weather: Blazing, sunny
- Beaches: 70s
- Mountains: 80s-90s
- Deserts: 107-119
- Inland: 90-103
- Warnings and advisories: Excessive Heat. Heat advisory
Beware the heat wave. Stay hydrated and stay cool.
The hottest areas will be the deserts and inland areas including the valleys today. High desert temperatures will rise to 110 degrees, up to 119 degrees for the low desert.
The Inland Empire and western San Fernando Valley will see highs up to 103 degrees, up to 100 degrees in Santa Clarita valley. Meanwhile it will be in the upper 90s for the San Gabriel Valley, mid to upper 80s for inland Orange County.
Coastal areas will continue to be the coolest — highs in the 70s along the beaches, mid 80s for the inland coast.
Tonight's lows will drop to upper 60s, low 80s for low desert, and 70s for the high desert.
About those heat warnings
Most of L.A. County valleys are under an excessive heat warning until Monday evening. The inland coast for L.A. and Orange county — that includes cities such as downtown L.A., Irvine, including the Santa Ana foothills — are under a heat advisory until Sunday night as temperatures will reach up to 105 degrees.
Forecasters say the excessive heat warning for the Inland Empire and the deserts could end by Saturday night.
A fire weather watch for the I-5 corridor starts Thursday evening through Friday due to high temperatures and low humidity. Please be responsible when celebrating Fourth of July.
-
- Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink water or electrolyte-replacements
- Drink cool water, not extremely cold water (which can cause cramps)
- Avoid sweetened drinks, caffeine, and alcohol
-
Protect a pet from excessive heat
-
- Never leave a pet or animal in a garage
- Never leave a pet or animal in a vehicle
- Never leave a pet or animal in the sun
- Provide shade
- Provide clean drinking water
-
Protect a human from excessive heat
-
Check in frequently with family, friends, and neighbors. Offer assistance or rides to those who are sick or have limited access to transportation. And give extra attention to people most at risk, including:
-
- Elderly people (65 years and older)
- Infants
- Young children
- People with chronic medical conditions
- People with mental illness
- People taking certain medications (i.e.: "If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot," says the CDC)
This day in history
On this day in 1969, John Wayne won Best Actor for True Grit — his first Oscar after 200 films.
Things to do
- 3rd of July Celebration: Can’t wait 'til the 4th to get your fireworks on? Head down to Orange for the city’s 29th annual 3rd of July celebration, where there will be evening fireworks, food trucks, and a performance by the Orange Community Master Chorale.
Check out our full list of things to do this week.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues.
-
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week.
-
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce.
-
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music.
-
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain.
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember.