Temperatures continue to rise to dangerously hot levels in Southern California on Monday as a high-pressure area pounds the region. Red-flag and excessive heat warnings are in place and expected to last at least until Tuesday at 8 p.m. for mountain areas in Ventura, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. Red-flag warnings essentially mean that fire danger is elevated, and excessive heat warnings are issued to encourage rest breaks and more water consumption during outdoor activities. Some of the hottest temperatures will be seen in deserts, valleys and inland areas, with Palm Springs reaching temperatures of more than 120 degrees on Monday. The heat will remain at least through Tuesday, with slight cool-downs coming by mid-week. Los Angeles and Orange counties will see record heat with temperatures reaching 100 degrees on Monday. In the valleys and Inland Empire, temperatures will climb to a dangerously
hot 111 degrees, with unhealthy air quality for all. Excessive heat warnings were in effect for these areas at least until Tuesday. The beaches will be sunny and warm with a high of 88 degrees. Mountains will see hot temperatures at 91 degrees with wind gusts of up to 35 mph and unhealthy air quality for all. The high deserts will be very hot with high temperatures of 111 degrees and wind gusts up to 25 mph. Some low-desert areas were expected to get as high as 120 degrees. Excessive heat warnings were also issued for mountain and desert communities through Wednesday.