Aggressive heat wave to scorch Southern California this week

The recent string of comfortable summer temperatures appears to be coming to an end as a major heat wave is set to arrive in Southern California this week.

Afternoon highs near normal should continue on Monday and Tuesday, but forecasters are calling for conditions to heat up by Wednesday.

“I’m going to tell you right now, we’re going to be talking a lot about heat, unhealthy conditions and really our first aggressive warm up that we’ve had during this summer,” KTLA Meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said Monday morning.

A ridge of high pressure that has spent most of the summer sitting a little further east than normal is moving west again, which will bring back the hot temperatures.

“We’re going to be hot, throw in a chance of thunderstorms, and our fire concerns are going to go up toward the end of the week, so look for some major changes, and they’re not the best for us,” Henry said.

Wednesday’s heat wave is expected to continue at least through the weekend.

Woodland Hills in the San Fernando Valley is looking at possible highs of 104 on Wednesday, followed by 108 on Thursday and Friday, with more triple-digit highs expected over the weekend.

The National Weather Service (NWS) called for a slight chance of thunderstorms over the Los Angeles County mountains on Friday and Saturday.

Officials also warned of the high risk for heat illness and elevated fire behavior across the mountains and valleys during this period.

Residents were asked to review evacuation plans and be on the lookout for any messages from local emergency officials.