Los Angeles County is grappling with a dangerous heat wave, setting record highs in various locations. Palmdale and Lancaster both shattered their temperature records for Sunday’s date, reaching 114 and 115 degrees respectively, surpassing previous highs set in 1989. Lancaster’s 115 degrees also set a new record for the month of July, breaking the old mark of 114 degrees set in 1960. The extreme heat is expected to persist throughout the week, with temperatures ranging from 105 to 115 degrees across interior valleys, mountains, and deserts. Excessive heat warnings have been extended until at least Thursday for several areas, including the 5 and 14 freeway corridors, the western San Gabriel Mountains, and the Antelope Valley. Additionally, a red flag warning has been issued for the western Antelope Valley foothills and the 5 Freeway corridor due to a high risk of fast-growing wildfires. Humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 6% to 12%, combined with potential winds gusting from 25 to 40 mph, significantly increasing the risk of wildfire spread. Death Valley National Park, known for its extreme heat, also recorded record-breaking temperatures over the weekend. A high of 128 degrees Fahrenheit (53.3 Celsius) was recorded both Saturday and Sunday. Tragically, a motorcyclist died from heat exposure while visiting the park on Saturday. The park’s statement indicated that the motorcyclist was part of a group riding through the Badwater Basin area during the scorching weather. Another motorcyclist from the group was transported to a Las Vegas hospital for severe heat illness. Due to the high temperatures, emergency medical helicopters were unable to respond, as they cannot fly safely above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Las Vegas also experienced its hottest day on record, reaching 120 degrees on Sunday, surpassing its previous record of 117 degrees. Authorities are reminding the public to take precautions during extreme heat, particularly regarding pets and children. Leaving them in vehicles, even for short periods, can lead to dangerous and potentially fatal conditions. Both the city and county of Los Angeles are operating cooling centers for those seeking refuge from the heat. The city of Los Angeles is also offering climate stations for the homeless on Skid Row, providing cold beverages, shade, and seating. The ReFresh Spot, open 24 hours a day, offers essential services like drinking water, restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities for the homeless community.
Record Heat Grips Los Angeles County, Death Valley, and Las Vegas
