The heat is on again for much of Southern California thanks to another high-pressure system, and a threat of "dry thunderstorms" will linger through the day, increasing the possibility of fire-igniting lightning strikes.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning of critical fire danger that will remain in place until 8 p.m. Friday in the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, Antelope Valley foothills and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors.
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Forecasters said the warning is primarily due to the "increasing risk of isolated dry thunderstorms, capable of lightning-induced ignitions with little to no precipitation." Such storms could also produce "erratic" winds gusting from 45 to 60 mph that could rapidly spread any fires that do erupt.
The conditions are exacerbated by "recently extended heat waves and rapidly drying fuels," forecasters said.
"So, with some decent sunshine today, thunderstorms will definitely be a threat over the mountains and Antelope Valley today (Friday), especially this afternoon," according to the NWS. "... If any thunderstorms do develop, they will likely produce some decent downpours but should be moving quickly enough to limit any significant flooding threat. However, some storms could be more limited with rainfall, so the threat of gusty outflow winds and dry lightning strikes will be in play."
Temperatures are expected to slowly rise each day into the weekend, with potentially "dangerous and significant heat risks across the interior" anticipated by Sunday or Monday, and continuing "through most of next week." Monday and Tuesday are expected to be the warmest days.
Another excessive heat watch will take effect Sunday morning in the Antelope Valley and remain in effect until Tuesday night, with temperatures possibly reaching as high as 107 degrees during that stretch. Excessive heat watches will also be in effect during the same time period for the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, where the mercury could rise to 103, and in the San Gabriel Mountains, Antelope Valley foothills and 5 and 14 Freeway corridors, where highs are expected around 100.
An excessive heat watch was also issued for the Santa Ana mountains and foothill regions in Orange County from Saturday until Tuesday evening. Dangerously hot temperatures from the mid-90s to 102 are in the forecast.
As usual, the coast will be the best place to avoid the heat, with temperatures only rising about one to three degrees above normal, according to the NWS.
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