Southern California continues to sink under a heat advisory Friday, as temperatures across the state remain 15 to 25 degrees above normal, with no significant relief in sight.
And while there will be a slight drop in temperatures on Saturday, officials have warned that another round of even more extreme heat is coming next week, bringing more heat advisories and record-breaking temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.
A high pressure system set in on Thursday, setting daily heat records in Ventura County and tying a daily record high of 92 degrees in Long Beach. Highs in the Los Angeles area are expected to be in the mid-80s to mid-90s again on Friday.
A heat advisory remains in effect for much of Southern California until 8pm Friday, and residents are urged to watch for heat symptoms, drink plenty of fluids and avoid strenuous outdoor exercise. Those most likely to get sick during the heat include older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes and people with chronic medical conditions, the LA County Department of Public Health warned.
All areas of the Los Angeles region will cool slightly on Saturday, with the coast and valleys seeing a 5- to 10-degree drop. But temperatures will slowly rise again Sunday, typically hovering in the 80s to low 90s and possibly prompting heat advisories for some coastal and coastal areas, according to the weather service.
True relief will still be elusive as next week “an incredibly strong system will build over the area, sending temperatures into the 90s and even triple digits Tuesday through Thursday, the NWS said.
Male shows the highest temperatures expected for March 17-19, 2026.
(National Weather Service)
Temperatures next week are forecast to reach 99 degrees in Canoga Park, 98 degrees in downtown Los Angeles and over 100 degrees in Santa Clarita and Covina.
“Given the unprecedented length and magnitude of this extreme heat wave, heat stress will be a real threat every day, especially in areas that are not used to heat,” warned the weather service on Thursday. “Try to end outdoor activities early in the morning or evening, and don’t leave people or pets in cars.”
Unusual summer-like heat will extend across much of the American Southwest, and some desert regions may experience their first 100-degree day of the year on record, according to the weather service.
In the Bay Area, the weather service predicts that San Jose and Salinas Airport could break their daily records on Monday and Tuesday, when coastal cities like San Francisco could approach their record temperatures.
Several metropolitan areas — including Sacramento, San Jose, Phoenix and Las Vegas — are poised to hit new high temperature records for the month of March, according to the weather service.
A common concern during hot, dry conditions is the possibility of small grass fires, according to the weather service. Fortunately, large sources of fuel such as dense vegetation remain wet due to heavy winter rains, and winds are forecast to be relatively light, conditions that together reduce the risk of fast-spreading wildfires.
