LA County getting more potentially dangerous heat; cooling options available

More potentially dangerous heat is on tap for the weekend, with temperatures expected to rise into the triple-digits in some areas while warmer-than-usual conditions will persist into next week.

An excessive heat warning will be in effect through 8 p.m. Sunday, July 23, in the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys, along with the western San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors.

Forecasters said “dangerously hot conditions” will be possible, with temperatures perhaps up to 110 in some places, and little relief overnight.

A heat advisory will be in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday, July 22, in the western Santa Monica Mountains and Calabasas, with temperatures up to 104 degrees. The advisory will be in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday, July 23, in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Valley, the Palos Verdes hills and eastern San Fernando Valley.

“Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” National Weather Service forecasters warned. “Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.”

Saturday is expected to be the hottest day of the next few days inland. As has been the case in recent days, the coast will be the place to be, even though temperatures there will still be slightly above normal.

“Closer to the coast, a persistent yet shallow marine layer depth will blanket the coast and keep the warming trend moderated some,” according to the NWS. “About a degree or two of warming will occur each day at the beaches, but the marine influence should remain intact and keep the beaches above normal.”

Officials announced that cooling centers and other strategies for staying safe amid the swelter would continue.

The City of Los Angeles on Friday announced extended hours at five cooling centers, while L.A. County opened several additional places for people to seek refuge from torrid temperatures.

The city’s Department of Recreation and Parks said cooling centers at these locations will be open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.:

— Fred Roberts Recreation Center, 4700 Honduras St., Los Angeles, 323-234-8650;

— Highland Park Recreation Center, 6150 Piedmont Ave., Los Angeles, 213-847-4876;

— Lake View Terrace Recreation Center, 11075 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace, 818-899-8087;

— Mid Valley Senior Center, 8801 Kester Ave., Panorama City, 818-892-0892, and

— Shadow Ranch Recreation Center, 22633 Vanowen St., West Hills, 818-883-3637.

In addition, all Recreation and Parks facilities can be used as cooling centers during normal operating hours, the agency said.

A complete list of city cooling centers, with locations and hours of operation, can be found at https://emergency.lacity.gov/la-responds/heat.

In the city of San Fernando, a cooling center will open when “temperatures reach over 100 degrees”:

— Las Palmas Park at 505 S. Huntington St., San Fernando, (818) 898-7340, open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. when temperature passes 100 degrees.

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, meanwhile, announced it has opened several cooling centers for the weekend. They will be open Friday from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pets are allowed but must be leashed and with the owners at all times.

They locations of the county parks’ cooling centers are:

— Jackie Robinson Park, 8773 East Ave. R, Littlerock;

— Stephen Sorensen Park, 16801 East Ave. P, Lake Los Angeles

— Val Verde Community Regional Park, 30300 Arlington St., Castaic;

— Castaic Regional Sports Complex, 31320 N. Castaic Road, Castaic;

— George Lane Park, 5520 West Ave. L-8, Quartz Hill;

— Pearblossom Park, 33922 N. 121st St., East Pearblossom;

— Col. Leon H. Washington Park, 8908 Maie Ave., Los Angeles;

— Amelia Mayberry Park, 13201 Meyer Road, Whittier;

— Adventure Park, 10130 S. Gunn Ave., Whittier;

— Mary M. Bethune Park, 1244 E 61st St., Los Angeles;

— Lennox Park, 10828 S. Condon Ave., Inglewood;

— Franklin D. Roosevelt Park, 7600 Graham Ave., Los Angeles;

— Earvin “Magic” Johnson Recreation Area, 905 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles;

— Del Aire Park, 12601 S. Isis Ave., Hawthorne, and

— George Washington Carver Park, 1400 E. 118th St., Los Angeles.

A complete list of county park cooling center locations, along with safety tips to stay safe in the heat, is available at https://parks.lacounty.gov/cooling-centers/.

A list of all Los Angeles County cooling centers can be found at https://ready.lacounty.gov/heat/.

The city recreation department also suggested city swimming pools as another way to beat the heat, saying the pools will be open daily. Visit SwimLA.org for locations and hours of operation.

Meanwhile, in Riverside County, a flight leaving from the Palm Springs International Airport was delayed due to high temperatures  before being canceled, a spokesperson with SkyWest Airlines said.

Palm Springs experienced temperatures reaching 118 degrees Thursday afternoon, causing a flight to be delayed due to heat affecting the takeoff weight of the aircraft, according to SkyWest Airlines. The flight was ultimately canceled due to thunderstorms in Denver.

City News Service contributed to this report