Hot. Hotter. Not quite the hottest, but really hot.

That’s the forecast for the coming week across Southern California, as temperatures are expected to rise above 100 degrees in many areas. A late-summer heat wave — expected to last through the weekend — sent temperatures soaring again Thursday, raising fears of wildfires in some areas.

The days are unlikely to reach “hottest on record” status because the heat wave “coincides exactly with the extreme heat wave in 2020. So while we may not break many records with this event, it does not lessen the impacts or diminish the precautions that must be taken to stay safe,” the National Weather Service said. “Do not go hiking or engaging in other physical activity except very early in the day, and even then, use extreme caution and stay hydrated.”

Richard Harris, owner of Sitters O Critters dog daycare, sits with his canine clients in the shade on a hot day at Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park in Van Nuys on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Paola Aguilar, 18, cools off with an ice-cold water bottle during a triple-digit heat wave while waiting for a bus at the North Hollywood Metro Station on her way home from Pierce College on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. In the South, temperatures are expected to be in the triple digits through next week. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Omar Sanchez delivers cans to Miguel Mendoza Recycling in North Hills during a triple-digit heat wave on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. In the South, temperatures are expected to remain in the triple digits through next week. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Xavier Perez enjoys the cold spray of water at the car wash in Redondo Beach on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, contributing photographer)

A man plays with a dog in the shade of a tree at Lake Balboa Anthony C. Beilenson Park in Van Nuys on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, to protect himself from the heat. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Alberto Rodriguez and his colleagues take a break from the heat before pouring concrete at a construction site in Manhattan Beach on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. ..(Photo by Axel Koester, contributing photographer)

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Richard Harris, owner of Sitters O Critters dog daycare, sits with his canine clients in the shade on a hot day at Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park in Van Nuys on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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“All systems indicate that there will be a dangerously hot period of weather throughout the weekend and in some areas into next week,” NWS meteorologists said.

• See also: How to stay cool in hot weather: Tips for preventing heat-related illnesses

The NWS has issued a heat advisory for much of inland Southern California that will last until 8 p.m. Saturday, September 7. A heat advisory is in effect for coastal regions until 6 p.m. Friday, September 6.

In the Inland Empire, temperatures of 113 degrees Fahrenheit are expected in Riverside and San Bernardino and 110 degrees Fahrenheit in Murrieta and Redlands on Friday, September 6, according to the National Weather Service.

A heat warning went into effect in the western San Fernando Valley on Tuesday morning and will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday – a day longer than originally expected. Meteorologists said the region could see temperatures as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius).

An extreme heat warning was also in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday for the Santa Clarita Valley, the inland coastal areas up to downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains recreation area, Calabasas, the eastern San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, the San Gabriel Valley, the Antelope Valley and the foothills of the Antelope Valley, and the Freeway corridors 5 and 14.

Meteorologists said temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius were possible in these areas.

• See also: Deaths, injuries and billions of dollars: The cost of extreme heat in California

Heat warnings were also issued for the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills, as well as inland Orange County, with forecasts reaching 40 degrees Celsius.

There will be no major relief overnight either, with lows expected to fall to over 25 degrees.

Even coastal areas aren’t immune to the heat. A heat advisory goes into effect at 11 a.m. Thursday and remains in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday for the Malibu coast and Los Angeles County beaches, as well as the Palos Verdes Hills. Temperatures in some of these areas could reach triple digits, according to the NWS.

A less severe heat warning is in effect for coastal areas of Orange County from 11 a.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday. Temperatures of up to 35 degrees are expected there.

The combination of high heat and expected low humidity prompted the NWS to issue a wildfire warning for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the San Gabriel Mountains, the Western Antelope Valley Foothills and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors until 10 p.m. Saturday.

Meteorologists said wind conditions “limit the potential for classic warning criteria,” but “large fires have occurred earlier this time of year in similar weather conditions.”

According to the NWS, humidity in areas classified as at risk could drop to 8 to 15 percent, with little recovery overnight. Temperatures will rise well above 100 degrees in the meantime.

A cooling trend is expected from Saturday onwards, which will cause temperatures to slowly drop in the following days and, according to the NWS, will reach normal values ​​around Wednesday next week.

Due to the intense heat, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an ozone warning that will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Friday as elevated smog levels are expected due to the heat wave. According to the AQMD, ozone levels in the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the San Gabriel Valley are expected to reach health-threatening levels or higher by Friday.