Excessive heat and poor air quality this week

Get ready for excessive heat over the next few days.

Areas away from the coast will be dangerously hot, according to the National Weather Service. Today's peak highs for the western San Fernando Valley will range from 103 to 111 degrees. San Gabriel and Santa Clarita valleys will reach up to 103 degrees. The Inland Empire is expected to hit to 108 degrees.

Closer to the beaches, the inland coastal plain will see highs in the 90s today, and up to 93 degrees in downtown Los Angeles. You can head to the beach for some relief, but not much as temperatures along the coast will be in the high 80s.

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Coachella Valley is expected to reach up to 115 degrees today.

Tonight's lows for interior areas will be in the 70s, but in the 80s for the desert.

Now forecasters say tomorrow and Friday will be the hottest days of this heatwave, with temperatures inching several degrees higher until a cool down begins on Sunday.

Remember to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, and check on your loved ones.

Heatwave contributes to poor air quality

Air quality officials say smog will cover the Southland for the next few days due to the heat wave.

The Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys and portions of San Bernardino's valleys and mountains will experience unhealthy levels of smog.

During this time officials suggest running an air purifier and to avoid using big polluters like gas powered equipment until the evening.

You can also run your air conditioner to help maintain your indoor air quality, just make sure you have a good filter. We have a guide on how to look for the best filter.

Where to cool down

The city of L.A. has now opened six cooling centers to help Angelenos beat the heat from 10 a.m .to 9 p.m today through Friday:

• Fred Roberts Recreation Center
  4700 Honduras St., Los Angeles, CA, 90011
• Mid Valley Senior Center
  8801 Kester Ave., Panorama City, CA, 91402
• Sunland Senior Center
  8640 Fenwick St., Sunland, CA, 91040
• Lafayette Multipurpose Community Center
  625 S Lafayette Park Place, Los Angeles, CA 90057
• Jim Gilliam Recreation Center
  4000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90008
• Lincoln Heights Senior Center
  2323 Workman St., Los Angeles, CA 90031

And residents in Skid Row can find heat relief at climate stations that provide cold beverages, seating, shade and other resources at these locations:

• Towne St. (between 5th St. & 6th. St.) across from ReFresh Spot
• San Pedro St. mid-block between 6th and 7th Streets
• 5th and Maple

A reminder that LADWP customers can sign up to receive power outage alerts through text or email here.

Heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke

As excessive heat covers the southland for the next few days its important to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

If you don't know how to tell the difference there are two things to look out for: your pulse and sweat levels.

Heat stroke symptoms typically include no sweating, throbbing headache and a rapid strong pulse. Heat exhaustion on the other hand makes you feel faint, dizzy, with a rapid weak pulse and excessive sweating.

To treat heat exhaustion, move to a cooler location, drink water and take a cold shower.
If you are feeling a heat stroke, get help immediately and try to cool down.

Beach water warnings

If you're heading to the beach today to cool off during this heatwave there are a few beaches Los Angeles County health officials are asking you to stay away from. Unhealthy bacteria levels were found in the waters at the following beaches:

• Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey
  The entire swim area.
  
• Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach
  The entire swim area.
  
• Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove
  The entire swim area.
  
• Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach
  100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps.
  
• Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove
  100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier.
  
• Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
  The entire swim area.
  
• Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu
  100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.
  
• Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica
  100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.
  
• Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach
  The entire swim area.
  
• Pena Creek at Las Tunas County Beach
  100 yards in each direction of the outfall.