Dennis RomeroThe June gloom sticking to our coastline well into August had you down, and you were waiting for summer to finally arrive?
Better late than never:
The National Weather Service this week issued an “excessive heat watch” for the deserts of Southern California and Southern Nevada, which could see temps as high as 126 degrees! It takes effect starting tomorrow:
A high pressure system will move over Utah, pushing the summer heat that has been plaguing the country's midsection all summer closer to the California coast.
As such, expect “well above normal” temperatures in SoCal Wednesday through Friday, according to the NWS.
Keep it cool, guys.; Credit: Neil Kremer2 / Flickr
The service says the three-day stretch of heat is only a preliminary estimate, and that the length of this one will likely outdo our last heat wave, July 9-11.
This estimate really blew our mind:
High temps of 126 degrees are expected, with lows not to dip below 90, in Death Valley during this stretch, according to the service: Vegas is expected to see highs around 111.
Wow.
L.A.'s Antelope Valley could see 110 degrees, Ojai 105, and L.A.'s inland areas 100, according to the NWS.
Downtown L.A? Low- to mid-'90s. L.A. beaches will be in the … low to mid-'70s, with patches of dense fog.
Oh well. Maybe summer will still show up there before September.
[Update at 2 p.m.]: No rolling blackouts yet, but Southern California Edison officials today urged us to conserve energy where possible. Because nothing is worse than a blackout in 100-plus-degree temperatures (except maybe one after a major earthquake has hit).
Note here that the San Onofe Nuclear Generating Station is out of commission and will be until at least 2013, it seems. If we get hit with a blackout, we could be, pardon our French, totally f'd.
The utility's no-brainer tips:
-Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees.
-Use electric fans instead of air conditioning when practical.
-Turn off unused appliances and equipment.
-Shut off lights when leaving a room.
-Close drapes and blinds to keep out direct sunlight during hot periods.
-Avoid using evaporative coolers or humidifiers at the same time an air conditioner is running.
-Operate swimming pool equipment and energy-intensive appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, during early morning and evening hours.
-Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators, which are major users of electricity in most homes.
-When possible, businesses should shift power-intensive work processes to morning or evening hours.
-Turn off lights in unused areas.
-Blow lightly on your lover's neck. (Ha! That last one's a joke. But seriously, conserve — for the good of the community).
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.