Mother Nature continued to turn up the heat Friday as a Southland heat wave intensified, breaking some temperature records while raising concerns about heat-related illnesses — and even hotter weather is anticipated next week.
Temperatures pushed into the 80s and 90s in many areas on Friday. At Los Angeles International Airport, the temperature reached 88 degrees by early afternoon, breaking the daily record of 86 degrees that was set in 1994. UCLA reached 89 degrees Friday, toppling the record for the date of 87 degrees, set in 2015, according to the National Weather Service.
Overall, temperatures were ranging about 15 to 25 degrees above normal in the Southland on Friday. A heat advisory issued by the NWS will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Friday.
“Long duration summer-like heat wave will lead to increased risk of heat illness, especially for vulnerable people such as the young and old and those without cooling systems,” according to the NWS.
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. But even with that cooling, temperatures will be roughly 6 to 12 degrees above normal for most of the area, forecasters said.
Temperatures will begin to creep upward again on Sunday, with most areas seeing a rise of 3 to 8 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 could 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.”