A jam-packed forecast: Thunderstorms, heat, fire weather and wind

Southern California is in for a wild week of weather, with thunderstorms and toasty temperatures bringing the chance of fire starts as well as sudden downpours, forecasters say.

- CLARA HARTER

PEOPLE GATHER on a hot afternoon at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City on Sept. 9.

Tuesday was expected to be the hottest day of the week, with warmer valley areas in L.A. County expected to reach the triple digits and temperatures in inland coastal areas ranging from the 80s to lower 90s, according to the National Weather Service. The hot weather will continue on Wednesday and coincide with a risk of thunderstorms that will persist through midday Friday.

The storms bring the chance of lightning-sparked fires in areas with high temperatures and dry vegetation. But the storms also bring the possibility of brief, heavy downpours and isolated strong winds, according to the weather service.