Heat wave, high winds in L.A. area prompt warnings about fire danger

A wind advisory has been issued for several Southern California valley and canyon areas as Santa Ana winds and high temperatures return to the region over the next few days.

The National Weather Service said the winds and warm conditions increase the risk of brush fires. Wind gusts could top 35 mph in the Santa Clarita Valley, parts of the Antelope Valley as well as the San Fernando Valley.

Forecasters also predicted a heat wave through Thursday, with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal.

The heat, caused by a high pressure system, will be most pronounced in inland valley areas, according to the weather service. [Updated: An earlier version of this story incorrectly describe it as a low-pressure system.]

"Anyone working outdoors through Thursday should take the necessary precautions to prevent heat-related stress and illness," the weather service said in an advisory.

Here are temperature forecasts:

Coastal areas: 80 TO 90.

Inland Orange County: 86 TO 96.

Coastal valleys: 92 TO 99.

Mountains below 6,000 feet: 88 TO 94.

Mountains above 6,000 feet: 70 TO 80.

Upper deserts: 80 TO 88.

Lower deserts: 91 TO 96.

-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Bryan Cummings does his morning workout on a warm Tuesday morning on the beach in Santa Monica, where high temperatures are predicted. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Queen Mommy]

Crud. Upper 90s in November is no fair.

[Rocky]

Woohoo summer's still here!

[El Vergudo]

I biked around town on what was called the hottest day in LA history, only a couple of months ago. Didn't stress that too much. This should be a breeze.

[Charles]

LOVE IT. Bring on the heat!

[Tom]

Sorry LAtimes but I think you have your high and low pressure systems mixed up. Low pressure usually means rain and cooler temperatures. I think it's a high pressure system is moving in

[ThaBeav]

Hey! This is November, not August. I hate hot weather! Not that it makes any difference at all.

[Ray]

Earthquake watch in effect.

[Martin Jensen]

I am a native of Long Beach, and now I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. I would take your heat wave and the ocean any day of the year. Be grateful for your heat and nice weather, because in Cincinnati it's about 35 degrees right now and I hate it. I can't wait until I can move out of the midwest and their winters. Hopefully soon.

[Mike]

Heatwave??? What a bunch of whiners, it's no wonder California is the land of idiots!!

[WhysoSerious]

Love the weather in Cali - rain or shine
Crawl back in your hole Mike

[Lauren]

I. Hate. This.

[Ironman Carmichael]

We had a seasonal winter and a mild summer. Now it looks like we're going to pay for it.