May 17, 2008 6:33 pm US/Pacific
Scorching Heat Baking Southland
LOS ANGELES
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With temperatures rising to near triple-digit highs this weekend, many Southlanders will be heading to the coast to keep cool. (file)
CBS
Get ready for some record-breaking heat!
The sweltering hot weather hit 101 degrees in Woodland Hills Friday and expected to continue throughout the weekend.
Saturday's highs are expected to be nice at the beaches, in the mid-70s to lower-80s, but inland and in the valleys, temperatures will range from the mid-90s to over 100 degrees.
A weak-to-moderate offshore flow caused by strong high pressure over the West Coast is the culprit behind this latest heat wave. A cooling trend will start early next week.
Woodland Hills broke records for its hottest May 16, topping the previous record of 100 in 1967.
People are urged to wear loose, light-fitting clothes, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol, check on neighbors without air conditioning, avoid the sun and unnecessary exertion when outside.
"When temperatures are high, prolonged sun exposure may cause dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Los Angeles County's public health director.
"Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in closed vehicles, even with the windows cracked, since temperatures can quickly rise to life-threatening levels," Fielding said.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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