Southern California braces for record-breaking heat on Wednesday
The National Weather Service predicts temperatures up to 111 °F in the region on Wednesday, with several locations set to break historic highs, while a modest cooling is expected later in the week.
Wednesday is projected to be the hottest day of Southern California's current heat wave, with most coastal and valley areas expected to run 10-15 °F above normal and valley locations possibly exceeding 100 °F, according to the National Weather Service. Downtown Los Angeles is forecast to reach 101 °F, which would surpass the previous daily record of 98 °F set in 1981.
The agency warned that the extreme heat raises the risk of heat-related illness, noting that the summer has already featured unusually high nighttime temperatures and humid conditions along the coast, linked to warm ocean waters. Global data from Europe’s Copernicus Earth observation service indicated that July tied 2024 as the warmest on record since 1850, and sea-surface temperatures recently hit a new high of 70 °F.
Recent observations show a series of record highs across the region. On Monday, downtown Los Angeles recorded 98 °F, surpassing a 1931 record, while Long Beach Airport reached 97 °F, breaking a 2010 benchmark. Tuesday saw Los Angeles International Airport hit 85 °F, edging out an 1981 record, and Camarillo Airport recorded 86 °F, exceeding a 1931 high. The National Weather Service’s Oxnard station also reported 87 °F, overtaking a 1931 record.
Forecasts for Wednesday include coastal highs of 86 °F at LAX and 99 °F in Long Beach, with Santa Monica expected to reach 87 °F, surpassing its 2011 record. Inland locations such as Camarillo and Oxnard are projected to hit 105 °F and 90 °F respectively, breaking previous highs. Valley areas face the most extreme temperatures: Burbank could see 105 °F, Van Nuys 107 °F (potentially beating a 2010 record), and Woodland Hills 111 °F, which would exceed the 1981 high of 109 °F.
The heat is expected to ease slightly on Thursday as the remnants of Tropical Storm Iselle move over California, though humidity may rise. The National Weather Service indicated a 10-15 % chance of showers that day, with heat advisories remaining in effect through Friday evening. A gradual cooling trend is forecast for the weekend, with temperatures dropping three to six degrees on Saturday and an additional four to eight degrees on Sunday, bringing most areas back to near-normal levels.
"The high risk of heat-related illness underscores the need for residents to stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity during peak hours," the National Weather Service advised.