Temperatures will climb a few degrees Thursday — reaching the mid to high 90s in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys and, once again, the 100s in the Antelope Valley — as high surf took aim at the Southland coast.
The National Weather Service forecast a mix of partly cloudy and sunny skies in L.A. County, along with highs of 77 degrees at LAX; 82 in Avalon and Long Beach; 84 in downtown L.A.; 85 on Mount Wilson; 88 in San Gabriel; 89 in Pasadena and Burbank; 95 in Saugus; 97 in Woodland Hills; 100 in Palmdale; and 101 in Lancaster.
Temperatures will roughly stay the same for several days and climb by a few degrees early next week, according to an extended NWS forecast. For example, Downtown L.A. will reach 87 Tuesday, Pasadena 92, and Woodland Hills 100.
Sunny skies were forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 70 in Laguna Beach; 73 in San Clemente; 76 in Newport Beach; 84 in Mission Viejo; 85 in Irvine; 86 in Anaheim; 88 in Fullerton; and 89 in Yorba Linda. Very slight increases are expected early next week.
The weather service said Thursday morning that heavy surf will pound the Los Angeles and Orange County coasts starting Friday as a result of swells generated by Hurricane Hillary, which is now over the tropical eastern Pacific and expected to follow a west-northwest track. A beach hazard statement — a notch less severe than a high surf warning — will be in effect in Orange County from Friday through Monday night. Expected Friday is surf of 5 to 7 feet, with 9-foot sets, forecasters said.
A beach hazards statement also will be in force in L.A. County from Friday morning through Tuesday evening and likely peak late Sunday through Monday, according to the NWS.
“Strong rip currents and longshore currents will be likely during this time perod,” according to a statement. “There is an increased risk for ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large breaking waves can wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats near shore.”
