Heat is in the forecast this week, as a late-summer heat wave is expected to kick in on Wednesday and will continue through the weekend. 

Ahead of the heat, CBS News Los Angeles meteorologists have declared a Next Weather Alert for much of Southern California. It will take effect on Wednesday and remain in place through at least Saturday. 

Many valley and lower mountain areas are expected to reach 100 degrees or higher, with the hottest areas located in the western San Fernando Valley, including Calabasas, Santa Clarita Valley, and Antelope Valley.

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A map of the regions impacted by KCAL News’ Next Weather Alert due to a significant warm up in coming days. 

KCAL News

Thursday and Friday are expected to be peak heat days, with triple-digit temperatures expected nearly everywhere but the coast. Highs are to potentially reach 106 to 109 in the western San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley, according to the National Weather Service. At the coast, Santa Monica will see a high of 79 on Thursday and Friday.

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in inland valley regions, including the Antelope Valley, on Thursday and Friday afternoons, KCAL News meteorologists said.

In the Inland Empire, temperatures will also quickly climb into the triple digits, where they’re expecting to remain for at least four days, according to KCAL News’ Next Weather team. While the heat persists, overnight temperatures will also be much warmer than average, sitting between the high 70s and low 80s for most of the region.

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A Next Weather Alert has been issued by KCAL News’ team of meteorologists due to sweltering heat heading to much of Southern California. 

KCAL News

Along with the heat comes an increased risk of wildfires. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect in the interior mountains and foothills of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and the Santa Clarita Valley.

“The Fire Weather Watch area covers areas that have been a climatologically notorious area for large plume-dominated fires in similar weather patterns to what is coming later this week,” said the National Weather Service. 

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