Southern California is bracing for a sudden stretch of unseasonable heat that began to feel more like summer even though it is still winter on the calendar, according to the National Weather Service. The agency warned that temperatures are expected to run well above mid-March norms, prompting residents to change daily routines to reduce the risk of heat illness.
Forecasters predicted temperatures around 93 degrees (33.8 Celsius) in downtown Los Angeles, alongside guidance to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest daytime hours. The National Weather Service said the region’s conditions would be about 20 degrees warmer than normal for mid-March, a shift officials and meteorologists said raises health risks for people who spend time outside.
Richard Thompson, a meteorologist with the weather service’s office for Los Angeles, said people should drink a lot of water if they must be outdoors, and he said there is “definitely the potential for records being set.” He also said the hottest day around the Los Angeles area would be Thursday, with the mercury possibly reaching 95 degrees (35 Celsius) in the San Fernando Valley, where typical temperatures are around 70 (21 Celsius).
The guidance extended to outdoor work sites. Junior Pineda, a representative with a local unit of the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, said workers at outdoor construction sites are provided drinking water and electrolyte packets, and they are instructed to take frequent breaks during the hottest periods. Pineda also said shade structures would be available if workers begin to feel light-headed and need to take a few minutes.
City and county officials also planned to open cooling centers for residents who do not have air conditioning. Zack Marquez, who uses a wheelchair, said he was taking care of errands Wednesday in Koreatown before it got too hot, adding that people need to “stay hydrated and stay in the shade.”
Forecasters said Friday’s sea breeze should cool the coast somewhat, but inland areas were expected to remain hot. Beyond Los Angeles, the state was also forecast to see hotter-than-normal weather starting next week, with temperatures that could top 90 (32 Celsius) on Monday around San Francisco and in the Sacramento area.