Southern California endures record triple-digit heat as humidity lingers
The National Weather Service reported that record triple-digit temperatures swept Southern California, with humidity remaining high and the agency forecasting possible thunderstorms and modest cooling later in the week. Earlier in the week the agency warned that the period could become the hottest of the year, projecting daytime highs of up to 110 °F in valley locations and noting a high risk of heat-related illness. Meteorologists also highlighted unusually warm nighttime lows and coastal heat that were expected to persist for weeks.
The service placed more than 80 million people under heat advisories nationwide and warned that a persistent high-pressure heat dome could keep temperatures near 115 °F across the Southwest into early September. On the day of the record heat, forecasts called for temperatures as high as 111 °F in several Southern California sites, setting new historic highs.