Labor Day Weekend Brings Hot Weather to Pacific Palisades

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Marking the unofficial end of summer in Pacific Palisades, with Labor Day weekend came hot weather—prompting statewide Flex Alerts and heat warnings.

An excessive heat warning was in effect over the long weekend for Los Angeles County Beaches, including Pacific Palisades, as well as Malibu, Zuma Beach, LAX, Long Beach, Santa Monica and other areas, with “dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 102 degrees” predicted.

During an excessive heat warning, residents are encouraged to reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening whenever possible.

“Pacific Palisades has seen its share of hot weather over the last few days, starting at the end of August,” local weather authority, who tracks rainfall and temperatures, Craig Weston wrote to the Palisadian-Post.

On Wednesday, August 31, at 5 p.m., the Huntington was 85 degrees, according to Weston. By 7 p.m. that evening, the temperature increased to 98 degrees.

“What was unique about that late evening temperature increase was that it seemed to only be felt north of Santa Monica, as Santa Monica did not see those high temperatures,” Weston explained.

Over the course of the holiday weekend, Palisades highest temperature reading occurred on September 4 at 9:10 a.m. when it was 101 degrees.

“This temperature also represents the high for 2022 in Pacific Palisades,” Weston said. “Of course, these readings cannot match July 6, 2018, when we saw a sizzling 107-degree day.”

In response to the high temperatures, California Independent System Operator issued Flex Alerts beginning August 31 from 4 to 9 p.m. so residents across the state could voluntarily conserve energy to reduce stress on the grid.

“With excessive heat in the forecast across much of the state and Western U.S., the grid operator is expecting high electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use, and is calling for voluntary conservation steps to help balance supply and demand,” according to a press release. “Additional Flex Alerts are also possible through the Labor Day weekend as record-setting temperatures are forecast across much of the West.”

Flex Alert conservation actions included pre-cooling the home by setting the thermostat to as low as 72 degrees, using major appliances (like washer and dryer, dishwasher, and oven and stove), charging electric vehicles, and adjusting blinds and drapes to cover windows before 4 p.m.

Between the hours of 4 and 9 p.m., residents were encouraged, health permitting, to set thermostats to 78 degrees and higher, avoid using major appliances and charging electric vehicles, and turning off all unnecessary lights.

There was also an Energy Emergency Alert Watch and Energy Emergency Alert 1 in place at several different occasions, including August 31, September 5 and September 6.

“Real-time analysis shows all resources are in use or committed for use, and energy deficiencies are expected,” according to a California ISO fact sheet about the alerts. “Market participants are encouraged to offer supplemental energy and ancillary service bids. Consumers are encouraged to conserve energy.”

An Energy Emergency Alert 2 was in effect on September 5, meaning ISO requested emergency energy from all resources, according to the fact sheet, and activated an emergency demand response program.

“Consumers are urged to conserve energy to help preserve grid reliability,” the fact sheet continued.

With high temperatures expected to continue through Friday, September 9, the Flex Alert had been extended through at least Tuesday, September 6, from 4 to 9 p.m., as the Post went to print.

California ISO has called 120 Flex Alerts between 1998 and April 2022, according to data shared in a report.

“It’s been a long, hot week, and temperatures are expected to rise even more in the upcoming days,” California ISO tweeted on Monday evening, September 4. “Your continued energy conservation efforts will help maintain grid reliability.”

As the Post went to print Tuesday, temperatures were predicted to reach 94 degrees on Wednesday, September 7, with a low of 72. September 8 was expected to have a high of 94 and low of 72, with Friday reaching 91 degrees and a low of 73.

The heat spell was anticipated to break by Saturday, September 10, which had a predicted high of 78 degrees and a low of 68 degrees, with a 50% chance of rain.

As high temperatures drew additional visitors to the beaches, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health put an ocean water use warning in place for Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State beach, near Tower 18, on Wednesday, August 31, cautioning residents to avoid swimming, surfing or playing in the water. Warnings were in place for Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica and Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey as well.

“These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested,” according to a press release.

By Thursday, September 1, the warning had been lifted from Santa Monica Canyon Creek when sample results identified that water quality levels were within state standards.

Zuma and Westward beaches in Malibu attracted so many visitors on Sunday, September 4, that they reached capacity and were closed by 2:15 p.m., according to the city of Malibu, though Will Rogers State Beach remained quieter.

“Generally, it was a busy weekend, but the coast did not provide as much relief from the heat as it had in the weeks leading up to the holiday,” a representative from County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches & Harbors shared, “and that may have discouraged some folks from making their way to county beaches.”

Though not due to heat, the Charter Bowl—which was to be played between Palisades Charter High School at Granada Hills in the San Fernando Valley on Thursday, September 1—was canceled due to smoke in the area caused by the Route fire in Castaic.

“Tonight’s game against Granada Hills, the Charter Bowl, has been canceled due to smoke in the Granada Hills or valley area,” according to a post on Facebook. “There’s a fire near Castaic in Santa Clarita, so that game has been canceled due to smoke.”

The Pali High football team has replaced the Charter Bowl with a game versus Cleveland in two weeks (for more details, see the Sports section). Other Pali High sports played indoors, like volleyball, were not affected by the high temperatures or smoke

The cross country teams had a meet, but it was in Cerritos—far enough away from the smoke of the fire. Boys water polo, girls tennis and golf did not have plans to play over the holiday weekend.

Though a few brush fires broke out around Los Angeles County over the holiday weekend, none were reported in Pacific Palisades.

“These next six days are going to be a scorcher,” LAPD Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin wrote at the start of the heatwave. “With the recent brush fire near Castaic, we need to be brush fire vigilant. Communities along the hillsides need to keep an eye on their surroundings, which includes keeping the areas around the property clear and free from debris and brush clearance.”

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, no hiker rescues were reported over the weekend in the area for anyone injured or heat exhausted needing assistance off the trail.