Orange County sees triple digit temperatures, excessive heat warnings on Labor Day
Triple-digit heat continues to bear down on Southern California Monday, with a sixth straight Flex Alert in effect urging residents to conserve electricity during peak hours.
In Orange County, excessive heat warnings are also in place through 8 p.m. Friday for coastal and inland areas and the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills. Orange County beaches were in the upper 80s on Sunday, with Anaheim reaching 105, Santa Ana expected to reach 103 degrees and Fullerton 107.
Overnight lows are not offering much relief either, staying in the 70s and even in the low 80s in some of the hotter areas.
"A prolonged period of very hot conditions with minimal coastal clouds is expected as high pressure aloft remains anchored over the West," according to the National Weather Service. "Triple-digit heat will be common for many valley and mountain locations through early next week. Record-breaking heat will produce a very high risk of heat illness."
"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the NWS urged. "Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances."
Forecasters also urged residents to be aware of the signs of heat stroke and to take precautions.
"Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside," NWS forecasters said. "When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
"Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location."
And the excessive heat warning has been extended until at least 8 p.m. Friday for Orange County coastal and inland areas, including valleys in San Bernardino and Riverside, and the Santa Ana mountains and foothills.
The California Independent System Operator -- which manages the state's power grid -- issued the statewide Flex Alert from 4 to 10 p.m. Residents are urged to take the following power-saving steps:
-- setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher;
-- avoiding use of major appliances;
-- turning off unnecessary lights; and
-- avoid charging electric vehicles.
Residents are also advised to pre-cool their homes as much as possible and close blinds and drapes to keep interiors cool.
The alerts have worked thus far, with the state avoiding involuntary power cutoffs. Officials said Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in particular are shaping up to be the most difficult days of the heat wave. Tuesday's peak demand is forecast to be 50,087 megawatts, just shy of the all-time record of 50,270 set in 2006.
According to Cal-ISO, electrical demand on Sunday was estimated at about 45,000.
