Photo by Brian Addison.
Experts are expecting high temperatures in Long Beach this weekend and into next week—but the temperatures will be nowhere near record-breaking, with today expecting a high of 90 degrees.
Jack Boston, a meteorologist at Accuweather, said Long Beach can expect their hottest day come Monday, when will be sitting in 95 degrees weather. He also said he expects temperatures of 93 degrees on Saturday, 94 degrees on Sunday and 94 degrees on Tuesday, all thanks to a “rigid high pressure sitting over Southern California.”
“It’s also been very dry,” Boston said. “That contributes to how much it can heat up. The soil is very dry, so the sun is very efficient when it heats the surface. We don’t expect much influence from the Pacific Ocean except for right along the coast.”
Noting coastline areas, including our own, Boston said the beaches will be a few degrees cooler in the high 80s with an increase in temperature the more inland you go.
Despite this weekend’s heat, Boston said Long Beach has been through worse, even recently: the hottest Long Beach has ever been was on September 27, 2010 at 111 degrees.
He also said the normal high temperature for this time of year is 83 degrees, putting us at about ten degrees above our average.
“So, we’re just about 10 degrees hotter than normal,” he said.
The City of Long Beach has released a list of tips to keep cool and escape possible dangers (like looking like a lobster after hanging out on the beach):
- Remain hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after outdoor activities
- Take frequent breaks while working or playing outdoors
- Wear loose-fitting, light clothing; wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover the face, ears and neck if you’ll be outside
- Apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) 15 minutes before going outdoors and re-apply at least every two hours since sunscreen prevents skin cancer
- Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid beverages that have caffeine or alcohol
- Plan strenuous outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day; limit time outside during peak heat
- Pace physical activities, starting slowly and picking up the pace gradually
- Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection. Chronic exposure to the sun can cause cataracts
- Seek air-conditioned environments during peak heat at stores, malls, theaters, etc. All Parks, Recreation and Marine Community Centers are designated cooling centers; for a list of Community Centers and their hours, visit www.longbeach.gov/park/coolingcenters .
- Check on frail elderly or home-bound individuals to make sure they are not affected by the heat
- Move to a cooler location at first sign of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps) rest and slowly drink a cool liquid
- Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or asleep in the direct sunlight
- Make sure pets have plenty of shade and water to drink
- Prevent children from drowning by providing adult supervision at all times and having an entry-proof barrier that surrounds the pool or spa