Thursday is expected to be the hottest day of Southern California’s prolonged heat wave, with dangerous temperatures, warm overnight conditions and heat alerts remaining in effect across much of the region before modest relief arrives this weekend.
Temperatures are forecast to climb well above normal across the Southland, with inland communities reaching the upper 90s and triple digits while even coastal areas remain unusually warm. The National Weather Service says Thursday through Sunday will be the hottest stretch of the next week, with elevated risks of heat illness due to both hot daytime temperatures and unusually warm nights.
KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said the prolonged stretch of heat has made conditions feel more oppressive than the thermometer alone might suggest.
“It just feels like it’s hotter,” DiCarlo said during Thursday morning’s forecast. “I think really what we’re feeling is just day after day after day with very little relief from the extreme heat.”
Heat advisories remain in effect across much of Southern California through Monday, while the Antelope Valley is under an Extreme Heat Warning from Thursday morning through Monday evening. Highs there are expected to range from 100 to 108 degrees.
DiCarlo noted that even beaches remain under heat advisories because alerts are based on temperatures that are unusually warm for a particular location, not just an absolute temperature.
“When we start to see it elevate, that’s when we tell everyone, ‘Hey, drink plenty of water. We don’t want you to get a heat illness,'” he said.
Forecasters say the warm overnight temperatures are especially concerning because they prevent the body from recovering after a hot day, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
There is some relief in sight.
DiCarlo said a developing onshore breeze should begin Thursday night, with cooler air gradually filtering into the region over the weekend. While temperatures are expected to remain above seasonal averages, Saturday and Sunday should be noticeably cooler than the peak of the heat wave, with additional cooling expected early next week.
“At least we’ll head in the right direction after a hot day, hot day, hot day,” DiCarlo said.
Officials continue to urge residents to drink plenty of water, limit strenuous outdoor activities to the morning or evening hours, seek air-conditioned spaces when possible and never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles.
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