The hot weather on Monday saw high temperatures at Disney Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Even warmer weather is expected later this week. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times). Southern California is preparing for a significant heat wave set to bring triple-digit temperatures to much of the region this week.
Driven by weak offshore winds and a heat dome over the southwestern United States, temperatures are forecast to rise throughout the week. They are expected to peak on Thursday and Friday. Portions of the Los Angeles Basin could see temperatures soar to 113 degrees by the weekend, while the Coachella Valley could experience highs of up to 119 degrees.
Southern California Set to Experience Extreme Heat Wave with Temperatures Soaring Above Seasonal Norms
“We are in what’s already the hottest time of the year climatically, and we are going to be 10 to 15 degrees above normal in almost every area from the beach to the deserts,” said meteorologist Ryan Kittell of the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office.
- High temperatures are expected at Disney Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
- Triple-digit temperatures will affect much of Southern California.
- Temperatures will rise throughout the week, peaking on Thursday and Friday.
- The Los Angeles Basin may reach temperatures of 113 degrees by the weekend.
- The Coachella Valley could see temperatures climb to 119 degrees.
As Southern California braces for this intense heat wave, it’s crucial to stay informed, stay hydrated, and take necessary precautions to stay safe in the extreme heat.
Labor Day was already scorching in many communities, with the San Gabriel Valley forecasted to hit a sizzling 100 degrees and the western San Fernando Valley expected to reach a sweltering 103 degrees. Meanwhile, L.A. neighborhoods closer to the coast were set to enjoy relatively milder conditions, with temperatures in the 80s and low 90s.
Woodland Hills: The Heat Epicenter
Known for being the hottest spot in L.A., Woodland Hills was predicted to experience extreme temperatures. The mercury was expected to climb to a searing 109 degrees on Tuesday, peak at 110 on Wednesday, and soar to a staggering 113 on Thursday before slightly cooling down to 111 on Friday.
Santa Clarita and Palm Springs: Rising Heat
In Santa Clarita, temperatures were projected to escalate dramatically from an uncomfortable 95 degrees on Monday to an oppressive 106 by Thursday. Palm Springs was no exception; its Labor Day temperatures of 107 to 111 degrees were expected to surge to a blistering 114 to 118 degrees by Thursday.
Read more: Sunday marked one of the hottest days ever recorded in Southern California, further emphasizing the historic nature of this heatwave.
UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain predicts that the summer of 2024 is likely to be remembered as either the hottest or second hottest on record. Interestingly, despite this, most Californians didn’t feel the intense heat.
A Tale of Two Californias
“The most densely populated parts of Ventura, L.A., Orange County, and San Diego — really all those counties west of the mountains — experienced a summer that was quite average,” Swain explained.
Inland Heatwaves
Inland regions, however, told a different story. According to Swain, the difference between a record-breaking summer and an unremarkable one could be as little as 30 miles. Areas like Palmdale and Palm Springs, known for their high temperatures, still managed to break records.
“If you lived on Ocean Beach in San Francisco or in Santa Monica, you wouldn’t have noticed much difference,” he added.