Summer Simmer

The fact that California is full of hot air may not come as a surprise to some folks, and this time there’s a meteorological explanation.

Blame this week’s heat wave on a massive dome of air at 18,000 feet that is steaming up as high pressure forces it to the Earth, said Wes Etheredge of WeatherData Inc., which provides weather information for The Times.

The dome covers much of the West, he said, bringing unusually hot weather that will last until Thursday and is setting some records.

In Orange County, the high of 93 degrees in Santa Ana tied a record set in 1997. That still wasn’t the highest temperature in the county. The high hit 103 in Fremont Canyon in the southeastern part of the county and 96 in Anaheim. El Toro hit 90 degrees.

A benevolent sea breeze gave coastal regions in the county a respite from the heat. Newport Beach had a high of 75 and Dana Point’s high hovered at 74, with Laguna Beach at 81.

Some beaches, including San Clemente, were fogged in until late afternoon. “Even though it’s foggy, there are quite a few people here [at the beach] because of the inland heat,” said Lynn Hughes, marine safety captain for San Clemente.

Etheredge said he expects similar temperatures across Orange County today.

Temperatures should start dropping by Wednesday as the high pressure weakens and the dome starts moving east. By Thursday, things should get back to normal as highs reach the upper 60s along the coast to the mid-80s in inland Orange County.

“It’s normal to see periods like this in summer,” Etheredge said. “It’s just a little hot.”

A little may seem like an understatement to residents elsewhere in the Southland. The temperature hit 107 in Riverside, and it was 105 in the San Fernando Valley communities of Woodland Hills, Northridge and Van Nuys. The temperature was 94 in downtown Los Angeles. It hit 122 in Death Valley, the hottest spot in the country. But it was a dry heat.

The heat sent shoppers--and some not-so-shoppers--heading to the malls in search of air conditioning.

“It’s the classic popularity of an indoor shopping center, whether it’s the heat or the rain,” said David Grant, general manager of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Though average attendance at the mall is between 50,000 and 65,000 people a day, Grant said the numbers spike during the heat. “When the weather is warm, we experience a 15% to 20% increase in attendance,” he said.

If you decided to crank up the air conditioner in your home and office, you weren’t alone. So many Southland residents used extra electricity during peak heat hours Monday that Southern California Edison issued an advisory to its 4.3 million customers.

“If just half of our . . . customers would turn off one 100-watt light bulb being needlessly used, it would go a long way in easing any potential power bind,” said John Ballance, SCE manager of grid dispatch and operations.

He recommended that customers set their air conditioners at 78 degrees, avoid cooling unoccupied rooms and use curtains to block out the sun’s searing rays.

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Power Use

Another heat wave, and Southern California residents are pumping up their air conditioners.

Record daily usage: 19,118 megawatts on Sept. 4, 1997

Average daily usage (summer): 15,000 to 17,000 megawatts

Average daily usage (winter): 12,000 megawatts

Estimated Monday usage: More than 18,500 megawatts

Note: Figures are for Southern California Edison’s 50,000-square-mile territory, which includes portions of Southern and Central California.

Energy-Saving Ways to Keep Cool

* Use a fan; it costs a fraction of what it costs to run an air conditioner.

* Set the thermostat a few degrees higher when using an air conditioner.

* Use the fan portion of the air conditioner or heating system to circulate air.

* Keep air-conditioning vents clear inside and outside the house.

* Draw blinds and drapes during the day to keep out the sun’s warm rays.

* Install reflective film or solar screens on windows.

* Install insulation in the home.

Source: San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison; Researched by JANICE JONES DODDS / Los Angeles Times

Heat-Related Health Problems

HEAT CRAMPS

Symptoms: Cramps in the legs or abdomen, can signal early stages of more serious heat-related injuries.

Treatment: Rest in cool area, drink cold fluids, massage cramped area.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Symptoms: Headache, nausea, dizziness weakness, fatigue, less than normal body temperatures.

Treatment: Same as for heat cramps, but if allowed to progress, heat exhaustion can lead to mild shock or heatstroke.

HEATSTROKE

Develops when symptoms of heat exhaustion go untreated. The body, overwhelmed by heat, begins to stop functioning. If not treated immediately, heatstroke can be fatal.

Symptoms: High body temperature; red, dry skin; loss of consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing; vomiting.

Treatment: Cool body with ice packs on wrists, ankles, armpits, neck; drink 4 ounces of water every 15 minutes. If a victim refuses water, vomits or is unconscious, seek immediate medical attention.

Heatstroke in Pets

Symptoms:

* Excessive panting and salivation

* Vomiting

* Fast pulse rate

* High body temperature

Treatment:

Immerse pet in cool water or pour cool water over animal. Ice packs also may be placed on the animal’s head. As soon as pet is cooled off, take it to a veterinarian.

How to Cope With the Heat

* Slow down and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

* Stay indoors as much as possible. Stay on lowest floor, if house has no air conditioning.

* Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.

* Drink plenty of water.

* Eat small meals throughout the day.

* Avoid foods high in protein, which increases metabolic heat.

* Avoid the use of salt tablets unless under doctor’s care.

* Avoid beverages with alcohol and caffeine.

* Avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming in from outdoor heat can result in hypothermia, particularly in elderly and young people.

Source: Red Cross; Researched by LOIS HOOKER / Los Angeles Times