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Big waves expected to arrive as scorching heat moves into Southern California

You might want to stay cool in a nice, relaxing pool when the heat wave hits next week.
The beaches, though cooler than inland areas that are expected to top 100 degrees, will be dangerous, as forecasts show a big swell headed to Southern California.
And that spells trouble for people seeking relief from the heat.
Waves are expected to start to show in the three-to four-foot range, occasionally five-foot, on Sunday, with sets up to 10-foot by Monday evening and continuing through Wednesday at south-facing beaches, according to Surfline.com. Strong surf, in the 5- to 8-foot range, is expected to continue Thursday, then decrease slightly Friday, before easing for the weekend.
A surfer rides the waves at the Wedge in Newport Beach early Wednesday morning, May 23, 2018 as a large swell moves onshore to Orange County beaches. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer gets caught in a breaking wave at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
SoundThe gallery will resume insecondsA surfer rides into a breaking wave at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer rides the lip of a wave just south of the Newport Beach Pier in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Surfers make their way into the water just south of the Newport Beach Pier in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A body boarder gets some air at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer comes out of a tube while riding a wave at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer rides a wave just after sunrise at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A crowd gathers as surfers and body boarders take advantage of a large swell to ride the waves at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer comes out of a tube while riding a wave at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A body boarder stays in front of a large wave at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A body boarder gets some air at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer makes his way into the water just south of the Newport Beach Pier in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A sign warns visitors of the high surf at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Heavy machinery pushes sand up a berm at Doheny State Beach to prepare for next week’s swell to protect campgrounds. (Photo by Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer looks back at a large breaking wave at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer comes out of a tube while riding a wave at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A body boarder jumps into the water just after sunrise at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer picks up his broken surf board at The Wedge in Newport Beach early Friday morning, July 6, 2018. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Surfers ply their trade on 3-5 foot surf at Leo Carrillo State Beach Thursday. The high surf is expected to continue for the next couple of days. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)
Surfers ply their trade on 3-5 foot surf at Leo Carrillo State Beach Thursday. The high surf is expected to continue for the next couple of days. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)
Surfers ply their trade on 3-5 foot surf at Leo Carrillo State Beach Thursday. The high surf is expected to continue for the next couple of days. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)
The waves were not high enough for surfers, but they were just right for body boarders in Seal Beach on Thursday, July 5, 2018. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG)
The waves were not high enough for surfers, but they were just right for body boarders in Seal Beach on Thursday, July 5, 2018. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG)
The waves were not high enough for surfers, but they were just right for body boarders in Seal Beach on Thursday, July 5, 2018. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG)
A surfer rides the waves at the Wedge in Newport Beach early Wednesday morning, May 23, 2018 as a large swell moves onshore to Orange County beaches. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer carries his broken board at the Wedge in Newport Beach early Wednesday morning, May 23, 2018 as a large swell moves onshore to Orange County beaches. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer rides the waves at the Wedge in Newport Beach early Wednesday morning, May 23, 2018 as a large swell moves onshore to Orange County beaches. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Heavy machinery pushes sand up a berm at Doheny State Beach to prepare for next week’s swell to protect campgrounds. (Photo by Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The heat will be sweltering, with temperatures expected to soar up to 18 degrees above normal in Los Angeles County between Monday morning and Thursday evening, forecasters said Friday, July 20.
The high temperatures are due to a very strong high-pressure system, along with warm offshore winds from the north, said National Weather Service meteorologist Curt Kaplan. The heat also will heighten wildfire concerns, he said.
An excessive heat watch issued by the NWS will be in effect in L.A. County from Monday morning through Thursday evening. In Orange County, an excessive heat warning, which is slightly more serious, will be in effect from 10 a.m. Monday until 8 p.m. Thursday.
An NWS statement warned that the expected high temperatures create an “increased potential for serious heat-related illnesses, especially for the young and elderly, those performing outdoor activities, as well as those without access to air conditioning.”
There also will be an increased potential for power outages.
“A prolonged period of very hot days combined with very warm nights is expected to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible,” the NWS warned.
If possible, schedule strenuous activities for the early morning or evening, the statement urged, adding that anyone working outside should wear lightweight clothing of light colors, drink a lot of water and take frequent breaks.
Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s in the Los Angeles area and into the 90s in the Valley, through Sunday. The spike should start Monday, when downtown L.A. is forecast to reach a high of 92, followed by 95 Tuesday, 96 Wednesday and 95 Thursday. Woodland Hills is expected to reach a high of 96 Friday, 105 Monday, 107 Tuesday, 108 Wednesday and 107 Thursday.
Orange County temperatures also will climb starting Monday. Yorba LInda is expected to hit 100 degrees by Tuesday and Wednesday; Santa Ana is expected to be in the mid-90s with temperatures in the low-80s along the coast through Thursday.
In San Bernardino County, Monday, the forecast calls for highs of 84 in Big Bear, 100 in Ontario, 101 in Rancho Cucamonga, 104 in Redlands, 105 in San Bernardino, 106 in Victorville and 102 in Yucaipa.
“Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be the warmest days for inland Riverside and inland Orange County,” said Jimmy Taeger, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in San Diego, noting that some areas further inland could get close to 110.
He said NWS only issues a high surf advisory about 24 hours before a swell, but the big waves are on their radar. “We see the elevated-to-high surf will be building next week,” he said.
The NWS models show surf from 6- to 8-foot along Orange County’s southern-facing beaches. “It could change as the swell gets closer,” he said.
He said along with big surf, strong rip currents are expected. “It’s always good to swim with a buddy,” Taeger said. “When in doubt, don’t go out.”
Workers were building a tall sand berm Friday at Doheny State Beach to protect the beach campgrounds from big surf.
Huntington Beach Marine Safety Lt. Greg Crow said he expects the heat wave to drive crowds to the coast — where other dangers leading up to the weekend include sting ray injuries.
And the heat can cause scorching sand — one beachgoer in Huntington Beach burned his foot while walking on the hot sand, recently.
Also be careful of jetties, where strong waves can wash up onto rocks and knock people over. The same goes for tidepools in areas such as Laguna Beach, where secluded stretches of beach can be dangerous traps.
A few weeks ago, when big surf hit during a heat spell, lifeguards made hundreds of rescues. 
Even experienced ocean-goers need to use good judgement in the coming days.
“The standard caution is to check with the lifeguard before you swim in any conditions. The more advanced and expert surfers, we still encourage them to check with us,” Crow said. “Big swell, small swell, check with us and we’ll tell you where to go, where the hazards are and we’ll definitely tell you where not to go.”
City News Service contributed to this report.
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Source: OC Register

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