HIGH temperatures in Orange County could culminate in thundershowers near the weekend (Shutterstock/Ed Connor).

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

Those of us sweating in Tuesday’s 93-degree heat in the West Orange County area may not be comforted that it will soon be considered a “cool” day.

According to the National Weather Service, the forecast calls for daytime highs to climb to 99 on Wednesday,  98 on Thursday and 97 on Friday. On Saturday, thunderstorms and showers are expected to cool us off to 81 and give our lawns a bit of a respite.

Daily highs are typically about five to eight degrees cooler close to the beach.

In response to the hot weather, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach and Stanton are maintaining cooling centers for those without air conditioning.

Garden Grove’s cooling center, located at the city’s Sports and Recreation Center in Garden Grove Park will be open Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Huntington Beach, Edison Community Center (21377 Magnolia St.) and Murdy Community Center (7000 Norma Dr.) will be open through Thursday. Hours will vary from day to day.

Stanton is using its branch library in the Civic Center (Katella Avenue just west of Beach Boulevard) for cooling from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Also available are buildings at Stanton Central Park, 10660 Western Ave. from 12-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For information about county-wide cooling center locations and hours of operation, call 211.

Hot weather may not be the only inconvenience for area residents. State officials are calling on citizens to conserve electricity to ease demand as the heavy use of air conditioning is straining the state’s grid.

A Flex Alert is in place, asking residents to cut back on usage from 4-9 p.m., by reducing lighting, raising thermostats to 78 degrees and avoid use of heavy appliances such as washers and dryers.

The possibility has also been raised of rolling blackouts.