Mother Nature continued to turn up the heat Friday as a Southland heat wave intensified, raising the possibility of record-setting temperatures and heat-related illnesses, with the hot weather expected to get even hotter next week.
“It will be another very warm day across the area with afternoon temperatures 15-25 degrees above normal,” according to the National Weather Service. “Looking at morning (temperature study) numbers, current temperature forecast for today looks on track with mid 80s to mid 90s across most coastal and valley areas.”
The NWS issued a heat advisory that will be in effect for the bulk of the Southland through 8 p.m. Friday, with temperatures of 90 to 100 degrees possible.
When the heat began rising on Thursday, Long Beach Airport reached a high of 92 degrees, tying the record for that day set in 2007. Camarillo reached a record high of 93 degrees, breaking the previous high of 89 degrees set in 2015.
The heat wave is forecasted to affect the region through Sunday. Some minor cooling is expected on Saturday, but only by about 4 to 8 degrees in coasts and valleys and 2 to 4 degrees in inland areas.
“Still, max temps will be 10 to 15 degrees over normal and people working or playing outside should be mindful of the heat and its effects,” forecasters said.
Temperatures will begin to creep upward again on Sunday, with most areas seeing a rise of 3 to 5 degrees, according to the NWS.
But as hot as this weekend will be, next week could be even hotter, with the NWS predicting “a large, long-lasting and dangerous heat wave — quite possibly one of the top heat wave events for the month of March, ever.”
Monday’s highs are expected to be in the 80s along the coast and into the mid-90s in the valleys. Tuesday will likely be the hottest day, with coasts ranging from the mid-80s to lower-90s and valley areas ranging from 95 to 102.
“Dangerously high” temperatures are expected to continue through Thursday. Maximum temperatures during next week’s heat wave are expected to be 20 to 30 degrees above normal, forecasters said.
The NWS issued an extreme heat watch that will be in effect from Monday through Friday, warning again that a “historic, long and record-breaking March heat wave” is possible.
Cal/OSHA urged employers this week to take precautions to protect workers as temperatures rise across the state.
“This is one of the first heat waves of the year, with temperatures rising above the seasonal average,” the agency said in a statement. “Employees may not yet be acclimatized to high heat and may need additional breaks and interventions when they adapt to the conditions. Cal/OSHA reminds employers to be vigilant, especially with newer employees, and ensure that employees have shade, water and rest breaks to prevent heat illness.”