A long-lasting October heat wave continued to bring dangerous temperatures to Los Angeles and Orange counties Tuesday, but some relief is expected to begin Wednesday.
Downtown Los Angeles reached 100 degrees for the fifth consecutive day Tuesday, the longest such stretch at any time of year, according to the National Weather Service. The Southland has experienced extreme heat all week, with even coastal areas reaching the 90s and many areas in triple-digits. Making matters worse, overnight lows are also unusually high, remaining in the 70s and preventing the area from experiencing needed cooling.
The following daily high-temperature records were tied or broken Monday, according to the NWS:
— 104 in downtown LA, breaking the old record set in 1953.
— 102 in Burbank, tying the record set in 1943.
— 101 at LAX, tying the record set in 1971.
— 104 at Long Beach Airport, tying the record set in 1971.
— 106 in Woodland Hills, breaking the old record of 105 set in 2025.
— 104 in Anaheim, breaking the old record of 99 in set in 2020.
— 106 in Santa Ana, breaking the old record of 103 set in 1953
Extreme heat warnings remained in effect through 8 p.m. Thursday for coastal and valley areas of Los Angeles County and coastal and inland Orange County.
Elevated wildfire conditions were also present through at least Thursday, but the NWS said red-flag warnings would not be issued since winds were on the lighter side.
Most areas were expected to see minor cooling of at least a couple degrees Wednesday, then more gradual cooling Thursday and Friday, with overnight temps dropping into a more typical range as well.
Residents may also see showers in some areas this weekend or early next week, as moisture from Hurricane Rachel moves into the region.
“The entire West Coast will see a very quick reversal to below normal temperatures Sunday through Tuesday as a cold low pressure system drops south out of Canada,” the NWS said Tuesday. “At the same time, there is an increasing number of model solutions showing remnant moisture and energy from Rachel moving up into southern California. Showers have been in the forecast during this period for some time but given the latest forecast track showing the remnants of Rachel moving a little farther north than before … there is at least a 5%-10% chance of thunderstorms either or both of those days. By Monday, high temperatures will be mostly in the 70s, 5-15 degrees below normal.”
The weather service issued a beach hazards statement for the Los Angeles County coast, including Catalina Island, through 6 a.m. Wednesday, and a coastal flood advisory will take effect at 6 a.m. Wednesday and remain in effect through 11 p.m. Friday.
Forecasters warned of dangerous rip currents and breaking waves due to elevated surf. The initial southeast swell is expected to affect Long Beach and Catalina Island Tuesday and Wednesday, before shifting to a more southerly direction that could affect beaches including Zuma later Wednesday through Friday.