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Now might be a good time to make weekend plans that involve a pool and frosty beverages—it's going to be a hot one.
A heat wave is expected to hit L.A. this week with temperatures expected to spike 15 to 20 degrees between today and the weekend. The National Weather Service predicts that a high-pressure system from Texas will send temperatures into the 90s around the Southland and even into the triple digits in some areas. Areas expected to be hit the hardest include the typically toasty Woodland Hills and Burbank, which could reach as high as 103 and 98 degrees, respectively. If you plan on hanging out in downtown L.A. on Saturday and Sunday, temps are expected to hit 91 degrees.
While the heat wave is not expected to be record-breaking, the forecast is about 10 degrees hotter than average for time of year. It will also feel particularly brutal given that temperatures this past week have been easy-breezy and cooler than the typical start to August.
The good news is that water temperatures are also unseasonably warm right now, so if you're heading to the beach this weekend, you'll be treated to a tropical swim. The waters around Santa Monica pier reached 74 degrees this past Sunday, while the water in Marina Del Rey was a lovely 71 degrees and they're expected to stay that way this weekend.
But the bad news is that the heat wave will increase the risk of wildfires in the mountains and hills across the Southland. And while the humidity is not expected to drop low enough for wildfire warnings, 10 to 20 mph winds and the ongoing drought could pose a threat of fire, according to the L.A. Times.
