Hold on to your Hydroflask, it gets brutal out there.

Today (Thursday, September 5) it will be 5 to 10 degrees warmer on the coasts and in the valleys than yesterday.

This means we’re expecting breathtaking temperatures across Southern California, with even the beaches expected to see temperatures in the 75s. Areas along the interior coast will feel the heat on the beach, with temperatures expected to reach 95s.

Be aware of wildfires. Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.

Some other notable forecasts:

• In Culver City, temperatures could reach up to 35 degrees Celsius, and in Anaheim, temperatures could even reach triple digits.
• Today’s high temperatures in the western San Fernando Valley will be between 40 and 46 degrees Celsius.
• In the San Gabriel and Santa Clarita valleys temperatures reach up to 41 degrees.
• Temperatures of up to 45 degrees are expected in the Inland Empire.
• Temperatures of up to 47 degrees are expected in the Coachella Valley today.

What about tonight?

Lows tonight will be above 21 degrees in the interior, but above 25 degrees in the foothill communities and up to 32 degrees in Cathedral City.

What happens next?

It’s not over yet. Meteorologists predict the heatwave will reach its peak on Friday.

Remember to drink plenty of fluids, avoid the sun and check on your loved ones.

Fire weather warning

Due to the extreme heat, the National Weather Service has issued a fire warning for the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains, including the Interstate 5 and Highway 14 corridors, due to low humidity, dry conditions, extreme heat and gusty winds up to 30 mph that will continue through Saturday.

This warning could turn into a red flag warning. We’ll continue to monitor these alerts for you. In the meantime, if you live near a wildfire-prone area, now is a good time to check your emergency pack.

Red flag warning

Because extreme heat combined with gusty winds pose a fire hazard, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for most mountain regions in Southern California from Thursday morning through Saturday evening.

The Red Flag Warning applies to all mountain ranges extending from Santa Barbara County to Los Angeles County, including the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains.

People living in these areas should be aware of parking restrictions and be prepared to self-evacuate in the event of a fire.

Heatwave contributes to poor air quality

According to air quality experts, smog will occur in Southland in the next few days due to the heat wave.

The Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys, as well as parts of the San Bernardino valleys and mountains, will experience health-threatening smog levels.

During this time, authorities recommend running an air purifier and avoiding the use of major polluters such as gas-powered appliances until the evening.

You can also run your air conditioner to improve the air quality in your home. Just make sure you have a good filter. We have a guide on how to find the best filter.

You can check the air quality in your area on the AQMD website.

Where to cool off in LA

The City of LA has now opened six cooling centers to help Los Angeles residents beat the heat from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today through Friday:

• Fred Roberts Leisure Centre
  4700 Honduras St., Los Angeles
• Mid Valley Senior Center
  8801 Kester Ave., Panorama City
• Sunland Senior Center
  8640 Fenwick St., Sunland
• Lafayette Multipurpose Community Center
  625 S Lafayette Park Place, Los Angeles
• Jim Gilliam Recreation Center
  4000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles
• Lincoln Heights Senior Center
  2323 Workman St., Los Angeles

LADWP customers can sign up here to receive power outage alerts via SMS or email.

And Skid Row residents can find relief from the heat at climate stations that offer cold beverages, seating, shade and other resources at these locations:

• Towne St. (between 5th St. and 6th St.) across from ReFresh Spot
• San Pedro St., in the middle of the block between 6th and 7th Streets
• 5th and Maple

Other regional cold centers

In LA, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, call 3-1-1 or request a list of cool-down centers. In the city of Los Angeles, you can also find a list of recreation centers, senior centers and libraries online – all good options for cooling off.

• Tip: Call the center in advance to make sure seating is available.
• Tip: If the center you want is at capacity or not operating, head to a local air-conditioned library and cool off with a book about ice fishing in Antarctica.

For more details on cooling centers in Southern California, visit:

Heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke

With extreme heat looming across the South over the next few days, it is important to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

If you can’t tell the difference, there are two things you should pay attention to: your heart rate and the amount of sweat you’re sweating.

Typical symptoms of heat stroke include lack of sweating, a pounding headache, and a rapid, strong pulse. Heat exhaustion, on the other hand, makes you feel weak, dizzy, have a rapid, weak pulse, and excessive sweating.

To prevent heat exhaustion, go to a cooler place, drink water and take a cold shower.
If you experience heat stroke, get help immediately and try to cool yourself down.

Beach water warnings

If you’re heading to the beach today to cool off during this heat wave, there are some beaches you should avoid, according to Los Angeles County health officials. The following beaches have been found to have unhealthy levels of bacteria in the water:

• Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey
  The entire bathing area.
• Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach
  The entire bathing area.
• Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove
  The entire bathing area.
• Marie Canyon outflow at Puerco Beach
  100 metres up and down the coast from the public access steps.
• Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove
  100 meters up and down the coast from Paradise Cove Pier.
• Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
  The entire bathing area.
• Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu
  100 meters from the lagoon up and down the coast.
• Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica
  100 meters from the pier up and down the coast.
• Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach
  The entire bathing area.
• Pena Creek at Las Tunas County Beach
  100 yards in each direction of the outflow.