A heat wave is expected to roll through Southern California over the coming week, bringing unseasonably and potentially record-breaking temperatures across the region.
Temperatures are expected to rise starting Wednesday, March 11 with little reprieve through the start of next week, said meteorologist Sebastian Westerlink with the National Weather Service San Diego. In many areas, temperatures could be 20 to 30 degrees above a normal for March.
“Any relief will be kind of minor and brief,” said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Los Angeles. “It definitely makes it more taxing on folks.”
Southern California residents are encouraged to limit outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. during the heat wave. Anyone who has to be outside should take frequent breaks in shade or air conditioning and stay hydrated.
Orange County
Highs in Orange County are expected to reach around 73 degrees Wednesday in coastal areas like Huntington Beach and 80 in areas like Irvine before peaking Thursday and Friday with highs in the mid-80s in coastal areas and the mid-90s in inland portions of the county, Westerlink said.
Temperatures could cool slightly over the weekend, with highs in the mid-70s in Huntington Beach and the upper 80s in Irvine. The weather service expects temperatures to rise again Monday and Tuesday, reaching highs around 80 in Huntington Beach and 90 in Irvine.
Los Angeles County
Temperatures could start to climb Wednesday, reaching 20 to 30 degrees above normal by Thursday, Kittell said. The area will see peak temperatures Thursday and Friday with highs predicted to reach around 97 in Downtown Los Angeles, 95 in Long Beach, and 97 in Burbank.
Temperatures are expected to cool around five to 10 degrees over the weekend, with highs around 90 in Downtown Los Angeles, 85 in Long Beach and 91 in Burbank before climbing again Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday, highs could reach the mid- to upper 90s in Downtown Los Angeles, highs 80s in Long Beach and the mid-90s in Burbank.
Inland Empire
On Wednesday, temperatures could rise 10 to 15 degrees above average, with highs in the low to mid-80s. Temperatures are expected to jump again Thursday and Friday, reaching highs in the low to mid-90s across San Bernardino and Riverside counties, according to the National Weather Service.
Highs could reach 96 and 97 degrees in Riverside and San Bernardino, respectively, Friday, Westerlink said. Temperatures are expected to dip a few degrees Saturday, with highs in Riverside and San Bernardino predicted to hit the low-90s, before rising again Sunday.
The heat wave is expected to peak Monday and Tuesday, with most areas seeing highs in the mid- to high 90s and others reaching 100 degrees or higher. Riverside and San Bernardino could see highs of 102 and 100 by Tuesday, Westerlink said.
Throughout the region, lows are expected between mid-50s and mid-60s at night during the heat wave.
