Southland hits record highs; more heat on tap Wednesday

Southern California reported record highs amid a heat wave Tuesday, with high temperatures expected to continue throughout the week.

Daily records were reached in Anaheim (97 degrees), Palm Springs (119), San Jacinto (106) Big Bear Lake (89) and Palmdale (107), the last breaking a record of 105 set in 1966.

While coastal regions saw their warmest temperatures for the week on Tuesday, desert areas are expected to reach their peaks over the next couple of days, according to meteorologist Todd Hall of the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office. A cooling trend for Southern California is expected to begin Saturday and continue into early next week.

“We don’t really return to normal until after the weekend,” he said. “It’s going to be cooler over the weekend but it won’t be below normal or even near normal until early next week.”

The weather service issued an excessive-heat warning through 9 p.m. Friday in the mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, excluding the Santa Monica range.

Searing temperatures are expected Wednesday in the inland parts of Los Angeles County, with Santa Clarita and Woodland Hills likely to reach 105 and 101 degrees, respectively, and Lancaster likely to hit 113.

The coastline will also continue to see warmer conditions: Ventura and Malibu are expected to hit 75 and 71 degrees, respectively, and Long Beach could hit 86.

Some of the most scorching temperatures are expected in the low desert areas, including the Coachella Valley, which could see highs between 112 and 120 the entire week.

Many libraries, senior centers and community spaces around Los Angeles County are offering residents a free respite from the heat. Helen Chavez, associate director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management, recommended that people find a cooling center near them and call to ensure that the hours posted online are correct.

Most Los Angeles public pools are opening just in time for the heat wave, with availability from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the Department of Recreation and Parks announced.

Beginning next week, pool hours will expand to include weekday mornings. The Department of Recreation and Parks website has a complete list of pools, their addresses and opening hours.