Southern California Heat Wave Breaks Records

An unusually intense late-season heat wave is gripping Southern California, with extreme heat warnings in parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties through Thursday and temperatures reaching the 100s in some inland areas. Forecasters expect little overnight relief before temperatures ease later in the week. Officials urge residents to hydrate, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours, use air-conditioned or otherwise cool spaces, and check on older adults, children, neighbors and people with health conditions; heat stroke requires emergency medical care. Santa Barbara County Animal Services is also seeking temporary foster homes because its Santa Barbara and Lompoc shelters lack air conditioning. UCLA experts say individual heat events are difficult to attribute directly to climate change, but a warming climate makes heat waves more likely, intense and prolonged.