Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA’s gonna be hot this week, but we’ve likely dodged a bigger heat wave
Children play with the water features at a park during a heat wave in L.A.
(
Etienne Laurent
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Hot weather is coming to Southern California (again). But hey, it could have been worse.
Last week, weather models were showing the heat was heading into the stratosphere. But over the weekend, things shifted, and now it looks as though we’re in for a hot-but-not-wild kind of weather event.
According to the National Weather Service, most of L.A. will hang around the 90s, although some places will reach up to 100 degrees. These warmer temperatures will be across the L.A. area through Friday.
The Weather Service issued a heat advisory for much of the Southland, which will be in affect from 11 a.m. Wednesday to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Support for LAist comes from
What changed?
This week's heat wave won't be as bad as the one earlier this month, when it surpassed 100 degrees in multiple areas.
That’s because the longer-term models that meteorologists use to develop the forecast have scaled back temperatures over the last few days.
According to Weather Service meteorologist Kristan Lund, models last week showed Woodland Hills experiencing peak highs at 103 degrees. Now, our warmest areas might just nudge around 100 degrees.
“ That could be [because of] little changes in cloud coverage or weaker offshore flow,” Lund said. “That would typically drive our temperatures warmer.”
The difference may be just a few degrees, but it affects whether we get a heat advisory. That being said, the NWS did issue the advisory for now because of warm overnight lows and a very light offshore flow. Some areas, such as downtown L.A., may be removed from the advisory later.
Support for LAist comes from
Temperatures are still higher than a typical May. For example, downtown L.A.’s average high for this time of year normally hangs around the mid-70s.
Are there fire risks?
The National Weather Service says there’s an elevated risk of fires because the heat is coupled with windy and dry conditions.
Humidity is expected to drop in some inland areas to as low as 8% by Wednesday, and gusty winds will blow through Thursday.
Wind gusts could reach 30 to 45 mph over mountains and hilly areas, such as the Antelope Valley and the Santa Susana Mountains.
However, they should slow down by Thursday, with higher temperatures dropping by Friday.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist