Triple-digit temperatures hit L.A. area; hotter weather expected

Triple-digit temperatures baked some parts of Southern California on Thursday as the region braced for even hotter weather from a blistering heat wave expected during the weekend.

Temperatures topped out at 100 in Woodland Hills and 103 in Lancaster in Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service.

Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County also hit 103. In the Inland Empire, Ontario reached 100 degrees, and Lake Elsinore recorded a high of 104, the Weather Service said.

The agency is predicting even hotter weather across much of California. Excessive heat warnings have been issued for parts of Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

On Thursday, state officials urged people to take precautions during the heat wave, which is expected to last from Friday morning through Monday evening. People should plan strenuous activity for morning and evening hours, find shady areas outside and drink plenty of water, officials said.

“Excessive temperatures can be extremely dangerous, if not deadly, particularly for infants, small children, seniors and those with health problems,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health.

In Los Angeles County, 89 cooling centers have opened from Avalon to Lancaster. Click on the following link to find an intercative map of the centers.

The warm weather is the result of high pressure building over the western United States, the Weather Service said.

The hot weather, coupled with dry vegetation, has heightened the danger for wildfires, according to fire officials.

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robert.lopez@latimes.com