A prolonged October heat wave continued to grip Southern California over the weekend, pushing temperatures well into the triple digits and setting new records. Valleys and even some coastal areas saw widespread highs in the 90s to low 100s on Sunday and Monday, with more records expected to fall, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are forecast to be 15 to 27 degrees above normal for this time of year, compounded by unusually high overnight lows that offer little relief.
On Saturday, several daily temperature records were broken across the Southland. Hollywood Burbank Airport hit 102 degrees, surpassing its 1943 record of 101. Anaheim reached 105 degrees, breaking the 2014 record of 103. Santa Ana registered 107 degrees, exceeding its 2014 record of 102. Even overnight lows set new records, making for a sticky few nights: Anaheim recorded a low of 76, breaking the 2018 record of 69. Santa Ana’s low of 72 broke its 2018 record of 68, and Newport Beach saw a low of 70, past its 1997 record of 69. Friday also saw record temperatures, including 103 degrees in downtown Los Angeles, 103 at Long Beach Airport, 103 in Anaheim, and 105 in Santa Ana.
Extreme heat warnings remain in effect through 8 p.m. Thursday for coastal and valley areas of Los Angeles County, as well as for coastal and inland Orange County. Some relief from the heat is expected by Thursday, with significant cooling forecast by next weekend.
With residents understandably cranking up air conditioners, electrical demand is expected to soar, prompting power providers to urge conservation to help avoid outages. The California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO), which manages the state’s power grid, issued a “Restricted Maintenance Operations” notice for 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. This notice urges suppliers "to avoid taking actions which may jeopardize generator and/or transmission availability." Cal-ISO stated that they are "not forecasting any supply shortfalls at this time," but aimed to prepare consumers should a Flex Alert become necessary. The agency added that it will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates. A Flex Alert is a voluntary call for conservation issued by Cal-ISO when power demand may exceed supply. Should conditions worsen, additional emergency alerts could be issued, potentially leading to rolling blackouts if power shortages become critical.
To help manage energy use during the hottest parts of the day, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) suggests residents set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher. They also recommend avoiding the use of major appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners, as well as stoves or ovens that can increase indoor heat. Closing curtains and blinds to reduce sunlight, turning off lights and electrical equipment when not in use, and unplugging items like cell phone chargers and microwave ovens are also advised, as these items use power even when not in active use.
Public health officials are reminding residents to prioritize their well-being during this heatwave. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health urged residents to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during the hottest hours when possible, and use air-conditioned spaces or cooling centers if their homes cannot be kept cool. Residents without air conditioning can find cooling centers, splash pads, and community pools by calling 211, according to county officials. The city of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department suggests using public libraries, recreation facilities, senior centers, or other air-conditioned public buildings, with residents able to call 311 or visit emergency.lacity.gov/heat for locations. Public safety officials also issued a critical reminder, as is typical during heat waves: never leave children or pets inside unattended vehicles, even for a short time, as interior temperatures can become deadly in minutes.
