110-DEGREE HEAT PLUS HUMIDITY DELIVER DOUBLE WHAMMY TO A.V.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

Temperatures soared Tuesday to 110 Tuesday, equaling the summer's high set two days earlier, before thunderstorms let loose to turn the Antelope Valley into a steam bath.

``It's very hot and humid,'' said Ron Mattix, a mechanic supervisor at the Palmdale Water District. ``A lot of the guys in the field are noticing it extremely. We advise the guys to carry extra water and take extra breaks.''

Besides torrential but sporadic rainfall, the thunderstorms also brought a second day of lightning strikes, which sparked at least a half-dozen wildfires and knocked out power in some areas.

Unlike Monday, when the lightning struck in the western valley, Tuesday's bolts hit in Lancaster and Palmdale.

Lancaster resident Christine Haymond was at home on the telephone when a lightning bolt struck near 45th Street West and Avenue K, sparking a fire. The blaze had neighbors worried, but it did not damage any homes.

``There was this big clap of thunder, like it was right overhead, and the lights went out immediately,'' Haymond said.

Before the rain, the Palmdale Water District office recorded a high of 110 degrees, matching Sunday's high temperature. Fox Field officials recorded a high in Lancaster of 106 degrees.

No immediate relief from the summer sizzle is in sight, according to the National Weather Service. Antelope Valley temperatures today are expected to reach highs between 100 and 110 degrees.

Sheriff's deputies said there were no reports of any heat-related rescue calls, but noted that the volume of calls was lower Tuesday.

``With the heat this week, everybody stays indoors,'' Deputy Daniel Belland said.

Antelope Valley Mall officials noticed more shoppers than on a typical Tuesday.

``It's nice and cool, and it's certainly hot outside,'' said Chris Roberts, assistant to the mall operations manager.