Areas of Southern California began warming Tuesday, with temperatures expected to surge well above normal later this week and potentially break records across the region, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters said a strengthening high-pressure system over Southern California will bring the hottest conditions Wednesday through Friday.
High temperatures Thursday are expected to run 14 to 18 degrees above average in the deserts and mountains and 20 to 25 degrees above normal for the coast and valleys.
Temperatures near the coast could reach the lower to mid-80s, while inland valleys and parts of Orange County may climb into the mid-90s. The lower deserts are expected to reach the mid to upper 90s, forecasters said.
“The currently forecast high temperatures for most areas on Thursday would be near to exceeding the existing high temperature record for the date,” the weather agency said. “There could also be a few records broken for warmest overnight temperatures for the date, mostly in the mountains and inland valleys.”
Heat risk is expected to increase to moderate levels across much of the coast and valleys, meaning heat-related illness may become more likely for sensitive populations, according to forecasters.
Temperatures could climb even higher Friday, with some inland areas reaching 25 to 30 degrees above normal, forecasters said. Valley communities and inland coastal areas could see highs in the 90s, while the lower deserts may approach 100 degrees.
Some cooling is expected along the coast and western valleys during the weekend as onshore flow returns, but inland areas and the deserts will remain hot.
Forecasters said record or near-record heat may continue across inland areas for much of next week.