Heat wave bearing down on tinder-dry region

A combination of high pressure and offshore winds should send temperatures soaring later this week, according to the National Weather Service.

After hitting the upper 70s on Wednesday, highs in downtown Los Angeles are expected to be well into the 80s for the rest of the week, according to Stuart Seto of the National Weather Service.

Seto said the peak will likely come on Friday, which should see a high of 89 degrees downtown.

In the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena region, temperatures are expected to following a similar trajectory, possibly hitting 90 degrees on Saturday, according to the weather service.

“It will be about 14 degrees above normal for this period,” Seto told the L.A. Times.

In addition to the heat, Santa Ana-like winds are expected to pick up later in the week.

The weather service is also warning of an elevated fire danger through the week.

-- Kurt Streeter, Los Angeles Times