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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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A sprawling heat advisory has been issued for much of Southern California, with temperatures expected to surge into the 90s beginning Thursday.
The alerts, stretching from Los Angeles and Ventura counties to Orange County, the Inland Empire, San Diego and the Central Coast, mark an expansion of warnings as forecasters urge millions to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity. The National Weather Service (NWS) said widespread heat will intensify Thursday morning and persist through at least Friday evening, with additional advisories or even extreme heat warnings possible into next week. Coastal cities that rarely see this level of early‑season heat are expected to reach the upper 80s and low 90s, while inland valleys will approach triple digits.
Heat advisories were first issued across Southern California on Tuesday. Since then, more advisories have been issued, creeping further up the coast ahead of the dangerous temperatures. Major cities within the advisory include San Diego, Los Angeles, Escondido and Long Beach. More than 5 million people reside within the advisory area.
Read More on Weather
The temperatures are anomalous, NWS meteorologist Sebastian Westerink told Newsweek, and are more typical of June through August.
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Los Angeles Heat Advisory as 100 Degrees Possible
Temperatures could surge as high as 100 degrees across the coasts and coastal valleys of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including in downtown Los Angeles. The advisories will go into effect at 10 a.m. Thursday and remain in place until 8 p.m. Friday, although it's possible they will be extended.
Forecasters said the heat poses a high risk of illness for young children, older adults, people without air conditioning, and anyone working or exercising outdoors. Officials urged residents to drink water frequently, stay in air‑conditioned spaces and check on vulnerable neighbors.
San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties Added to Advisory
The advisory was also expanded northward to include San Luis Obispo County, the Santa Barbara County Central Coast and the Santa Ynez Valley, where temperatures are expected to reach 85 to 95 degrees, well above normal for mid‑March.
Mountain ranges including the Santa Lucia Mountains and Santa Ynez Mountains (Western Range) are also under the heat alert.
The NWS warned that the warm spell is not brief as abnormal heat is expected to linger into next week.
Heat and Wind Advisory for Eastern Santa Ynez Mountains
In the Eastern Range of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the NWS issued dual advisories:
- A Wind Advisory in effect through Wednesday morning, with gusts up to 45 mph.
- A Heat Advisory for Thursday and Friday with temperatures near 90 degrees.
Forecasters cautioned that gusty winds may down trees and create hazardous driving conditions, especially for high‑profile vehicles.
San Diego Heat Advisory as Temperatures to Surge
The San Diego NWS office reaffirmed its ongoing heat advisory for:
- San Diego County (coastal and valley areas)
- Orange County (coastal and inland regions)
- San Bernardino and Riverside County valleys/the Inland Empire
These regions are expected to see temperatures from the low- to mid‑80s near the coast and into the 90s inland.
Officials again urged limiting outdoor activity to early morning or evening hours and acting immediately if signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke appear.
Record-breaking Temperatures Possible
Numerous records could be broken beginning on Thursday, data from the NWS Weather Prediction Center showed, with potential records as far north as Sacramento, with forecast temperatures of 81 degrees. The record is 82, set in 2020, and it's possible temperatures will meet or exceed that number as the heat moves in.
Record-breaking temperatures will continue into next week, with the most records possible next Tuesday.
Heat Expected to Intensify Into Next Week
Across all affected regions, the NWS issued nearly identical cautions: temperatures will remain well above normal into next week, and more advisories or extreme heat warnings may be required if conditions worsen.
People were encouraged to stay in air‑conditioned areas when possible, avoid the sun and strenuous activity, wear lightweight, loose‑fitting clothing, drink plenty of fluids and check on elderly relatives and neighbors.
Officials emphasized that even short exposures can lead to heat illness, especially in coastal communities not accustomed to such temperatures.
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