A brutal heat wave is set to hit Southern California this week, expected to bring the hottest temperatures of the summer to a region already experiencing stifling weather.
After a generally mild August for most of California, forecasters say High pressure ridge Temperatures are expected to be 5 to 10 degrees above normal along the coast and up to 20 degrees above normal in inland communities. Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, said the warmest months are expected between Wednesday and Friday.
“We’re talking about four days of continuous heat,” Wofford said. “We’ve had three or four days of heat before, but this day is hotter and longer than before.”
Temperatures in the San Fernando Valley could reach between 110 and 115 degrees, while downtown Los Angeles is forecast to see temperatures in the mid-to-high 90s. Temperatures could reach triple digits in Burbank, Woodland Hills, Pasadena, Santa Clarita and Palm Springs.
The early September heat wave comes after climate scientist Daniel Swain predicted that much of California could see its hottest summer on record. Along the coast, this summer may not have been too hot, but across much of the state it’s been a different story.
“Most of the coastal region of California missed out on record heat this season (including the most densely populated parts of Southern California metropolises) — meaning that while most of California’s landmass experienced record heat, most of California’s population may not have experienced it (a pattern we’ve seen repeated in several recent years),” Swain wrote in a post on his Weather West blog.
The weather service has issued an excessive heat warning for much of Los Angeles County from 11 a.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Friday, warning people to expect highs of 95 to 110 degrees. There isn’t expected to be much relief from the heat, with overnight temperatures hovering in the 70s to 80s.
Temperatures are expected to range from 90 to 110 degrees in Long Beach, between 105 and 110 degrees in the Antelope Valley and between 100 and 105 degrees in Pasadena and Burbank, Wofford said. By Thursday, temperatures could reach 106 degrees in Santa Clarita and 118 degrees in Palm Springs.
“In terms of this summer, it will be the hottest or close to the hottest we’ve ever seen,” he said.
Mayor Karen Bass announced this week that hundreds of cooling centers will be open across the city Tuesday through Friday, including “climate stations” on Skid Row, where people will find shade, a place to sit and a cold beverage. Residents can find a list of cooling centers and “climate stations” here Online,
According to Wofford, in 2020, there was a heat wave around this time of year that pushed temperatures to 120 degrees in Woodland Hills, which is traditionally the hottest spot in L.A., 111 degrees in downtown L.A. and 114 degrees in Burbank. Wofford said this heat wave is expected to hit those figures, but it’s not expected to break those records.
Death Valley, known for its searing temperatures, had its hottest month on record in July. Due to a high pressure ridge this week, temperatures in the park are expected to reach 118 degrees by Thursday and Friday, which is slightly lower than the hellish average temperature of 121.9 degrees experienced in the national park in July.
Still, temperatures could reach record levels in other parts of California.
Temperatures could reach 112 degrees in the Inland Empire by Thursday and Friday. Temperatures in inland Orange County are expected to hover around 90 degrees and could reach 102 degrees in inland San Diego County, said Philip Gonsalves, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego.
What’s good about this heatwave? There won’t be any Santa Ana winds, which will reduce the risk of wildfires caused by strong winds, even though the Southland is experiencing extreme heat.
“There will be a narrow strip of real estate near the beaches where temperatures will be in the low 90s,” Gonsalves said. “That’s because there will still be a marine layer present and we’ll get a sea breeze in the afternoon, whereas if we were in a Santa Ana event we wouldn’t have a sea breeze.”
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to drop about 3 to 6 degrees by Saturday, but will remain above normal for the rest of the weekend, with temperatures around 105 degrees in the valleys and the low to mid 90s in downtown L.A. Temperatures are expected to drop another 2 to 4 degrees by Sunday and Monday.
Officials remind Southern Californians to stay hydrated and not leave any pets or children inside their car as it can be dangerously hot. Vulnerable populations, including pregnant people, homeless people, children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, are most at risk for heat-related illnesses.
Wofford also cautioned against engaging in physical activity during the day, such as walking, and said such activity should only be done in the very early morning or very late evening.
“This would not be the best week to do something like this,” he said.
