EDITOR'S NOTE: Multimedia journalist Jada Montemarano spoke with a hardware store owner about trying to keep up with the demand for air conditioners during the heat wave. Click the arrow above to watch the video.

LOS ANGELES (CNS) — With Southern California in a ninth straight day of a prolonged heat wave, the state's power regulators are again hoping to avoid rolling blackouts by asking all residents to conserve electricity during the hours of 3 to 10 p.m., extending the previous Flex Alerts by two hours.

But an end to the heat wave is finally in sight, thanks in part to Hurricane Kay, which is moving along the coast of Baja California and expected to bring clouds and possibly rain to the area by the weekend.

Flex Alerts issued by the California Independent System Operator, which manages the state's power grid, have been running every night during the heat wave from 4 to 9 p.m., urging residents to eliminate unnecessary power usage and prevent strain on the system. Thus far, the power grid has held firm, and no rotating blackouts have been implemented.

Cal-ISO extended Thursday's Flex Alert from 3 to 10 p.m. "because market deficiencies are projected during that time frame," according to the agency.

The agency also issued an Energy Emergency Alert 2 on Thursday, which will be in place until 9 p.m., signaling that Cal-ISO is requesting emergency power supplies from all resources to meet anticipated heightened demand.

During the Flex Alert, residents are asked to save power by:

• setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher;
• avoiding use of major appliances;
• turning off unnecessary lights; and
• avoid charging electric vehicles.

Residents were also advised to pre-cool their homes as much as possible and close blinds and drapes to keep interiors cool.

The voluntary conservation measures have worked so far, although the state was on the verge of rolling blackouts on Tuesday evening. Just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, the state moved into an Energy Emergency Alert 3, calling for maximum conservation efforts while warning that blackouts could be imminent without reduced demand.

To drive home the situation, alerts were sent to cell phones across the state urging people to "conserve energy now to protect public health and safety," and warning that "power interruptions may occur unless you take action."

But with residents responding to the conservation call, officials ended Energy Emergency Alert 3 at 8 p.m. Tuesday, declaring "consumer conservation played a big part in protecting electric grid reliability."

Late Tuesday afternoon, statewide electricity demand reached 52,061 megawatts, breaking the record of 50,270 MW set in 2006, according to Cal-ISO.

Southern California has seen temperatures soar above 100 degrees every day since Wednesday of last week, with little relief in sight until this weekend. A record high temperature was reported in Sandberg on Wednesday. It was 99, breaking the record of 97 set in 2018.

It was 103 in Anaheim on Wednesday, breaking a record high of 100 for the day set in 2011.

A number of high minimum temperatures were set throughout Orange County on Wednesday. The minimum temperature was 75 in Anaheim, tying a mark set in 2020. It was 73 in Santa Ana, breaking the mark of 71 set in 2020.

"A prolonged heat wave will continue through the end of the week, finally breaking this weekend as weakening tropical cyclone Kay stalls offshore," according to the National Weather Service. "Kay will bring showers and a chance of  thunderstorms late Friday into Saturday, then decreasing chances Sunday with slightly warmer temperatures. Temperatures will remain near or slightly below normal next week."

Excessive heat warnings will be in effect through 8 p.m. Friday for the inland coastal area including downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains and the San Gabriel, San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. The warnings will expire at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Los Angeles County mountains and Antelope Valley. Los Angeles County beaches and the Malibu coast will be under excessive heat warnings only on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The excessive heat warning was extended until at least 8 p.m. Friday for Orange County coastal and inland areas, including valleys in San Bernardino and Riverside, and the Santa Ana mountains and foothills.

"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the NWS urged. "Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances."

Forecasters also urged residents to be aware of the signs of heat stroke and to take precautions.

Cooling centers for Los Angeles County can be found at ready.lacounty.gov/heat/. Cooling centers for Los Angeles can be found online, or by calling 311.

But relief from the heat appears to be on the horizon thanks to Kay, the effects of which could reach the Southland by Friday evening.

"Warm and muggy conditions are expected through Saturday as Kay weakens and moves north," according to the NWS. Showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected, especially late Friday into Saturday with some periods of heavy rain possible. Then decreasing chances Sunday with slightly warmer temperatures. Temperatures will remain near or slightly below normal next week."