Summer Heat Wave, Smog Slam Westwood

LOS ANGELES, CA —It lingered, but June gloom is finally gone and in its wake comes the first official heat wave of the summer. The elevated temperatures are expected to last several days. In Westwood, the weekend weather will reach 85 degrees.

The South Coast Air Quality Control Board has issued an ozone advisory for the region through Tuesday as high levels of ozone will combine with the heat for smoggy conditions.

The San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys will be hit with the hottest temperatures, hovering in the upper 90s in some valley communities into next week. Blame the heat onan upper-level ridge of high pressure anchored Thursday morning near the Four Corners Region -- southwestern corner of Colorado, southeastern corner of Utah, northeastern corner of Arizona and northwestern corner of New Mexico -- combined with a weakening onshore flow.

"Dangerously hot conditions are possible Friday and Saturday" away from the coast, according to a National Weather Statement. "Onshore flow should strengthen early next week and bring a cooling trend." An extended temperature forecast, however, reflects very little cooling.

The NWS forecast a combination of sunny and partly cloudy skies in L.A. County Thursday and highs of 73 degrees in Avalon; 74 at LAX; 83 in Long Beach and Downtown L.A.; 87 on Mount Wilson; 89 in San Gabriel; 91 in Burbank; 92 in Pasadena; 97 in Saugus and Woodland Hills; and 101 in Palmdale and Lancaster. Similar and higher temperatures will prevail at least through Wednesday.

Forecasters recommended that, to avoid illness and discomfort, area residents should limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of fluids while avoiding caffeine and alcohol, dress in loose- fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing, and never leave children or pets in an enclosed parked vehicle.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.