The extreme heat in Southern California could finally be over

Get ready, Southern Californians. A break from the heat is on the way.

According to the National Weather Service, you may just have to wait another day.

In its forecast for Tuesday morning, the weather service says that “a significant cooling will begin today as land currents return,” but warns that “temperatures in the mountains and warmer valleys will still be in the 80s to below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.” Heat advisories remain in effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

In the Los Angeles Basin, most places are expected to see a cooldown of up to 10 degrees on Tuesday. Inland, temperatures will still be between 25 and 30 degrees, while on the coast temperatures could drop to 21 degrees.

It is expected to cool another 10 degrees by Wednesday before temperatures settle at slightly below average levels on Thursday, with highs between 21 and 25 degrees, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Robbie Munroe.

Humidity is expected to be between 10 and 20 percent throughout the week, but it is likely to be less dry by Thursday as the marine layer deepens and brings moisture to the area.

Similar conditions are expected in Orange and San Bernardino counties, with the Inland Empire being the warmest and driest area of ​​the region.

The weather service issued a wildfire warning indicating dangerous conditions for fire spread through noon Wednesday in the mountains surrounding the Angeles National Forest, including the area of ​​the Bridge Fire.

Red flag dangers are also expected to continue in the San Gabriel Mountains, extending into the Interstate 5 corridor and the Antelope Valley by Wednesday morning.

In recent days, heat and gusty winds have created conditions for extreme fires. Fires have broken out in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties, filling the air with smoke and ash and posing a danger to the public.

On Tuesday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an air quality warning that remained in effect overnight due to increased particulate matter pollution from wildfire smoke in Orange County and the Inland Empire.

On Tuesday, winds estimated at 20 mph or more are expected on the region's mountain slopes, fanning flames and pushing smoke into surrounding communities.

“It will literally fan the flames,” said Philip Gonsalves, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego. “It increases the speed at which the fire spreads. That's the bad news. The good news is that the direction of spread becomes a little more predictable.”

Due to increased particulate matter pollution caused by wildfire smoke, an air quality warning is in effect for all of inland Orange County and the Inland Empire until 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Corona-Norco Unified School District announced that Wilson Elementary, Temescal Valley Elementary and Todd Elementary were closed Tuesday along with their after-school programs due to poor air quality. The district, which consists of about 50 schools, also canceled all outdoor activities and athletics at all schools until further notice.