L.A. heat wave to hit triple digits over the weekend

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With early afternoon temperature in the mid-90s, golfers at Chester Washington Golf Course in Hawthorne carry umbrellas and ice water to beat the heat. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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Jose Castillo, 14, skateboards through the Santa Ana Civic Center on his way to school Friday morning. High temperatures and a red flag warning denoting heightened fire danger will be in effect in the Southland. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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Beads of perspiration dot the face of a man who only goes by the name Andy as he sprinkles water on his lawn in his South Central Los Angeles neighborhood. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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Beachgoers cool off in the surf at Hermosa Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Betty Jurdi, 73, shades herself with an umbrella while waiting for a bus in Woodland Hills. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Maria Perez, 72, shields herself from the afternoon sun while walking along Mott Street in Boyle Heights. The extended forecast calls for high temperatures and Santa Ana winds. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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The sun rises over Point Fermin as the Southland heads into what is expected to be a hot weekend. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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The sun bakes the parking lot at Alemany High School where attendants were helping guide people to park for Thursday night’s game against Chaminade. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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A jogger struggles on a path around the Evergreen Cemetery despite high temperatures. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Maria Torres, left, and her son Anthony Morales, 10, shield themselves from the sun while waiting for the light to change at Mott and 4th Streets in the Boyle Heights. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

By Adolfo Flores

Oct. 2, 2014 4:25 PM PT

The heat wave hitting the Southland is expected to continue through Sunday, bringing with it a high fire danger.

Temperatures were expected to reach into the mid-90s in some areas Thursday, the National Weather Service said, and will continue to rise to the low 100s in inland areas by Friday.

The hot weather is expected to peak Saturday, with highs in the San Fernando Valley and Inland Empire ranging from 100 to 106 degrees.

The heat is caused by high pressure from the mountains that is pushed down into the valleys and stays there, keeping out ocean breezes that typically flow inland and provide relief.

The high temperatures, low humidity and offshore winds -- expected to reach speeds of 45 mph -- combined with critically dry vegetation will also increase the chance of fires throughout the region.

For breaking news, follow @AdolfoFlores3.

L.A. heat wave to hit triple digits over the weekend

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