With temperatures climbing ahead of Labor Day weekend, forecasters are advising beachgoers to be cautious of strong rip currents and powerful surf along Los Angeles County beaches.
Some inland areas could reach up to 110 degrees over the holiday weekend, while coastal highs are expected in the upper 70s to low 80s, according to the National Weather Service.
Thousands of residents are expected to flock to the coast to escape the heat.
On Saturday, a mixed south and north swell will bring a high rip current risk and stronger surf, with wave heights building to three to six feet in the late afternoon, according to forecasters.
A high rip current risk means life-threatening currents are expected.
Temperatures are expected to peak Monday and Tuesday, possibly breaking triple digits in parts of the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys, and reaching and the low 90s in downtown Los Angeles.
A heat advisory was issued from 10 a.m. Monday to at least 6 p.m. Tuesday for large areas of Los Angeles County, including the western San Fernando Valley, downtown Los Angeles, the Gabriel Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley.
A slight cooling trend is expected beginning Thursday, with temperatures likely dropping around 5 to 7 degrees the following weekend.
Los Angeles city officials said hundreds of locations were open for relief from the heat, including Recreation and Parks facilities and local library branches. Residents can visit laparks.org/reccenter, lapl.org/branches or call 311 for the location and hours of operation for the cooling centers.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health urged residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke and cramps. Officials warned the public to avoid strenuous outdoor activity, drink plenty of fluids and to check on those at risk for heat-related illness, such as people who are sick or have chronic conditions, older adults and pregnant women.
The public was also reminded to never leave children and pets in a vehicle without air conditioning on for even one minute, as vehicle temperatures can quickly rise to deadly levels.