Cool marine air brought relief from the intense heat across Southern California on Saturday, thanks to swirling winds. The National Weather Service in Oxnard stated that the marine layer extended further inland into coastal valleys, causing temperatures to drop by about 10 degrees compared to Friday. This cooling trend is expected to continue until midweek.
As a result of the cooler weather, excessive-heat advisories and warnings were lifted in many coastal valleys, although they remained in effect for deserts, mountains, and the Santa Clarita Valley. Temperatures in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys were initially expected to reach the mid-90s to 105 degrees, but they were lower than anticipated on Saturday. For example, Chatsworth reached a high of 92 degrees, Saugus cooled down to 100 degrees, and Woodland Hills dropped to 96 degrees. Even Palm Springs experienced a drop to 114 degrees on Saturday, down from 124 degrees on Friday.
Despite the relief in some areas, other regions experienced record-breaking heat on Saturday. Palmdale tied its all-time high temperature record of 115 degrees, while Death Valley set a new record for July 6 with a scorching 128 degrees. The combination of extreme heat, low humidity, and strong winds led to a red flag warning being issued for the 5 Freeway corridor and the Antelope Valley foothills.
The dangerous fire conditions resulted in ongoing battles against numerous wildfires across California. In Fresno County, the Basin fire, which began on June 26, had burned 14,027 acres and was 60% contained on Saturday. The French fire near Mariposa threatened the area outside Yosemite National Park but was 35% contained after burning 908 acres. In Santa Barbara County, the Lake fire swelled to 12,271 acres with zero containment, leading to evacuation orders for certain areas.
In Riverside County, firefighters managed to contain the Hills fire near Juniper Springs, while two fires near Apple Valley and a small blaze near UC Riverside were also reported. As a precaution, residents in Los Angeles County’s valleys and inland areas were advised to stay indoors during the day and avoid hiking due to the high temperatures.
To combat the heat, the city of Los Angeles opened cooling centers where residents could seek relief. Additionally, the Weather Service in San Francisco reported a significant temperature variation across the Bay Area, with coastal areas experiencing cooler weather while northern Sonoma and Napa counties reached temperatures as high as 110 degrees.
During this heatwave, it is crucial for individuals to stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, and seek shade whenever possible. Following these simple practices can help prevent heat-related illnesses and ensure the well-being of everyone during this challenging weather conditions.