Southern California is experiencing the peak of its most significant heat wave of the summer this Wednesday, with forecasters calling the event dangerous due to a high risk of heat-related illness. The National Weather Service expects most coastal and valley areas to be 10 to 15 degrees above normal, with valley locations topping 100 degrees.
Downtown Los Angeles is forecast to hit 101 degrees, a figure that would break the daily record of 98 set in 1981. Earlier in the week, records already broke: Monday saw downtown Los Angeles hit 98 degrees, surpassing a 1931 record, and Long Beach Airport 97 degrees, breaking its 2010 record. On Tuesday, LAX reached 85 degrees, exceeding its 1981 record, while Camarillo Airport and the NWS Oxnard station also broke 1931 records.
Wednesday’s forecast anticipates more records to fall. LAX is expected to reach 86 degrees and Long Beach 99. Santa Monica could see 87 degrees, surpassing its 2011 record, while Hawthorne is forecast for 93 degrees, besting its 2015 record. Inland, Camarillo is forecast for 105 degrees and Oxnard 90 degrees, both smashing 2015 records. Burbank, Palmdale, and Lancaster are all forecast to hit 105 degrees. Van Nuys is expected to reach 107 degrees, breaking a 2010 record, and Woodland Hills 111, breaking a 1981 record. Paso Robles to the north could also see 107 degrees, potentially breaking a 2017 record.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department issued a statement Monday, confirming they were "augmenting staffing and pre-positioning personnel and resources" to ensure rapid wildfire response.
This week’s extreme heat caps off a summer characterized by high nighttime temperatures and muggy conditions, particularly along the coast, attributed to unusually warm ocean waters. While Southern California's summer temperatures had been "pretty typical" until now, according to the National Weather Service, the persistent warmth felt oppressive. Globally, last month tied 2024 as the warmest July since record-keeping began in 1850. Europe’s Earth observation agency Copernicus reported the average sea-surface temperature recently hit a record 70 degrees, as the burning of fossil fuels continues to warm the planet.
Some relief is on the horizon. Temperatures are expected to cool slightly on Thursday as remnants of Tropical Storm Iselle move over the state. However, the National Weather Service warns that storm moisture will increase humidity, and there’s a 10% to 15% chance of showers. Temperatures will remain above normal, with most heat advisories and warnings staying in effect through 8 p.m. Friday. A more significant cooling trend is anticipated for the weekend, bringing most areas to a few degrees below normal by Sunday.
