Never fear, heat will break

Costa Mesa and Newport Beach will battle the sweltering heat and Santa Ana winds until Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The nearly record-breaking high temperatures, which have reached more than 100 degrees in some parts of Orange County, will drop to the low and mid-80s by Friday afternoon in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.

Costa Mesa will return to the mid- to high 70s on Saturday and Sunday. Newport Beach will remain sunny and about 74 degrees until Sunday, when temperatures are expected to drop into the high 60s, according to the National Weather Service.

Newport Beach reached a high of 88 degrees Wednesday afternoon, but conditions in Costa Mesa were significantly hotter, with temperatures reaching 104 degrees.

A red-flag warning — indicating high fire danger — was set to remain in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday because of the dry heat and Santa Ana winds.

To prevent heat-related illnesses, Orange County’s Health Care Agency recommends that people drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting clothing and avoid strenuous activities in non-air-conditioned spaces.

For those without air conditioned homes, the agency recommends visiting libraries or community centers to stay cool.

While many people were attempting to beat the heat inside on Wednesday, Mark Armijo, a 52-year-old Newport Beach resident biked along the boardwalk in Newport Beach from his home on 32nd Street.

“The temperature is never unbearable here since there’s always an ocean breeze,” he said. “But if you drive inland even up to 19th Street, you sure can feel the difference.”