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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Simultaneous warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Los Angeles, California, alerted more than 4 million people to two deadly weather events expected this week.
Southern California is entering what the NWS has described as a historic and extremely rare March heat event, with temperatures soaring 20 to 35 degrees above normal across Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, and inland regions. Forecasts show mid‑90s to 100s inland, along with 80s and 90s at the coast, levels more typical of midsummer than mid‑March. At the same time, a beach hazards statement is in place along the coast, warning of fatal ocean conditions that could lead to drowning if beachgoers aren't careful.
Newsweek reached out to NWS Los Angeles by phone for comment.
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Los Angeles Extreme Heat Warning, Heat Advisory
Both an extreme heat warning and heat advisory are in place for the NWS Los Angeles forecast region as of Tuesday morning. An extreme heat warning is in effect through Friday evening for many inland areas, with a heat advisory along portions of the coast. Officials warn of a high risk of heat‑related illness, noting that triple‑digit temperatures could break daily and even monthly records in multiple cities. A less severe yet still potentially fatal heat advisory is in place for coastal areas.
"NEVER leave any person or pet inside a car without air conditioning, as temperatures inside a car without adequate cooling can turn deadly within minutes. Know the signs of heat illness, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion," a forecast from NWS Los Angeles said.
Los Angeles Beach Hazards Statement
Meanwhile, NWS San Diego and NWS Los Angeles have issued beach hazards statement for coastal areas. The alert will remain in place through Wednesday evening and warns beachgoers of hazardous ocean conditions such as dangerous rip currents and breaking waves.
"There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats nearshore," NWS Los Angeles said in the alert. "Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks."
The overlapping timing of extreme inland heat and hazardous coastal surf leaves residents with limited safe options for relief. While many may be drawn to beaches to escape high temperatures, forecasters emphasize that water conditions are unusually dangerous and could turn deadly in seconds.
Emergency officials urge residents to seek cooling centers or air-conditioned spaces rather than heading to the coast, stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours, avoid entering the ocean until hazardous surf conditions subside, and keep children and pets out of unattended vehicles, where temperatures can become lethal within minutes.
With both threats expected to persist through mid‑week at least, authorities across Southern California are urging continued vigilance as conditions evolve.
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