Hold on tight to your Hydroflask, things are about to get rough.

Today (Thursday, September 5) it will be 5 to 10 degrees warmer than yesterday on the coast and in the valleys.

That means we’re expecting some eye-watering numbers in Southern California, where even the beaches are expected to reach 80 degrees. Areas along the inland coast will pay a price for the heat on the beach, with temperatures predicted to top 90 degrees.

Beware of wildfires. Stay cool, stay hydrated.

Some other notable predictions:

• In Culver City it can reach 95 degrees and in Anaheim it can even reach three quarters of a degree.
• Highs in the western San Fernando Valley today will range between 40 and 46 degrees Celsius.
• In the San Gabriel and Santa Clarita valleys, temperatures can reach 106 degrees.
• In the Inland Empire, temperatures are expected to reach 110 degrees.
• Temperatures are expected to reach 115 degrees in Coachella Valley today.

And tonight?

Tonight, the minimum temperature inland will be around 21 degrees Celsius, in the hills around 36 degrees Celsius and in Cathedral City even around 32 degrees Celsius.

What’s next?

It’s not over yet. Weather forecasters predict that Friday will be the peak of this heat wave.

Make sure you drink enough, stay out of the sun and look after your loved ones.

Fire brigade warning

The extreme heat prompted the National Weather Service to issue a fire warning for the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains, including the Interstate 5 and Highway 14 corridors. That’s because of the low humidity, dry conditions, extreme heat and gusts of up to 30 mph, now through Saturday.

That warning could become a red flag warning. We will continue to monitor these advisories for you. In the meantime, if you live near a bushfire-prone area, now is a good time to Check your emergency bag.

Red flag warning

Because the combination of high temperatures and strong winds could create dangerous fire conditions, the National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for most mountain areas in Southern California from Thursday morning through Saturday evening.

The red flag warning applies to all mountain ranges stretching from Santa Barbara County to Los Angeles County, including the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains.

People living in these areas should check parking restrictions and be prepared to evacuate if a fire breaks out.

Heatwave contributes to poor air quality

Air quality officials predict that there will be smog in Southland over the coming days due to the heatwave.

The Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys and parts of the San Bernardino valleys and mountains have unhealthy levels of smog.

During this time, officials advise using an air purifier and avoiding using major polluters, such as gas-fired equipment, until the evening.

You can also use your air conditioner to maintain indoor air quality, but make sure you have a good filter. We have a guide on how to find the best filter.

You can check the air quality in your area on the AQMD website.

Where to Cool Off in LA

The City of Los Angeles has now opened six cooling centers to help Los Angeles residents beat the heat from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today through Monday:

• Fred Roberts Recreation Center
  4700 Honduras Street, Los Angeles
• Mid Valley Senior Center
  8801 Kester Ave., Panorama City
• Sunland Senior Center
  8640 Fenwick St., Sunland
• Lafayette Multi-Purpose Community Center
  625 S Lafayette Park Place, Los Angeles
• Jim Gilliam Recreation Center
  4000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles
• Lincoln Heights Senior Center
  2323 Werkman St., Los Angeles

Also this Sunday, two of the library’s cooling centers will be open from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM:

• Library Chinatown Branch
  639 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles
• Pacoima Branch Library
  13605 Van Nuys Boulevard, Pacoima

And during regular business hours, most recreation centers and libraries in the city of Los Angeles function as cooling centers.

LADWP customers can sign up here to receive power outage notifications via text or email.

For residents of Skid Row, there is a climate station with cold drinks, seating, shade and other amenities at the following locations:

• Towne St. (between 5th St. and 6th St.) across from ReFresh Spot
• San Pedro St. midblock between 6th and 7th Streets
• 5th and maple

More regional cooling centers

In L.A., Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, call 3-1-1 or call 911 for a list of cooling centers. In the city of Los Angeles, you can also find a list of recreation centers, senior centers and libraries online — all good options for cooling off.

• Tip: Please call the center in advance to ensure seating is available.
• Tip:If the center you want to visit is full or not operational, go to a local air-conditioned library and cool off with a book about ice fishing in Antarctica.

More information about cooling centers in Southern California can be found here:

Heat exhaustion versus heat stroke

As the coming days will be extremely hot in the south, it is important to recognise the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

If you don’t know how to feel the difference, there are two things you should pay attention to: your heart rate and your sweat level.

Symptoms of heat stroke usually include no sweating, a pounding headache, and a rapid, strong pulse. Heat exhaustion, on the other hand, causes you to feel faint and dizzy, with a rapid, weak pulse, and excessive sweating.

To treat heat exhaustion, it is best to move to a cooler place, drink water and take a cold shower.
If you experience heatstroke, seek immediate help and try to cool down.

Beach water warnings

If you’re heading to the beach today to cool off during this heat wave, there are a few beaches that Los Angeles County health officials want you to avoid. Unhealthy bacteria levels have been found in the water at the following beaches:

• Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey
  The entire swimming area.
• Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach
  The entire swimming area.
• Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove
  The entire swimming area.
• Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach
  100 meters along the coast from the public access stairs.
• Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove
  100 meters along the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier.
• Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
  The entire swimming area.
• Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu
  100 meters along the coast from the lagoon.
• Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica
  100 meters along the coast from the pier.
• Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach
  The entire swimming area.
• Pena Creek at Las Tunas County Beach
  100 metres in each direction from the outlet.