Downtown Los Angeles started Saturday on a surprisingly gentle note, with cool, partly cloudy skies and temperatures lingering in the upper 50s to low 60s. That comfort will not last long. Today should top out near 83°F, a mild prelude to what forecasters say will be an unusually long, potentially record-setting heat wave next week.
Sunshine is expected through the afternoon with a light southeast breeze around 0 to 10 mph, followed by mostly clear skies tonight and a low near 56°F. Sunday will push into the mid-80s, then the real jump comes late Sunday into Monday as the heat settles in.
What To Expect Next Week
The warmup arrives fast. Forecasts call for highs near 94°F on Monday, followed by a run of triple-digit afternoons with a high near 101°F on Tuesday and roughly 100°F on both Wednesday and Thursday. According to the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard, an Extreme Heat Watch is in effect from Monday morning through Friday evening, and forecasters warn of a high risk for heat illness and the potential for record-breaking temperatures.
Where It Will Be Hottest
Interior valleys and communities east of the basin will take the hardest hit, with many inland neighborhoods expected to reach or exceed 100°F, while beaches and the immediate coast will stay in the 70s to low 80s. Even there, nights will not offer much relief. Coastal areas are forecast to experience unusually warm overnight lows, holding in the upper 50s to mid-60s.
The City typically opens cooling centers during extended heat and posts locations and hours online. Residents can check the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management page for available sites and operating times.
How To Stay Safe
Public health guidance is straightforward: shift strenuous outdoor work and workouts to early morning or late evening, drink plenty of water, and check on older neighbors, young children, and pets during the hottest parts of the day. Never leave people or animals in parked cars, even briefly, since heat illness can escalate quickly.
If you do not have air conditioning, you can call 3-1-1 for City resources or 2-1-1 for County information on cooling locations, and follow updates from local officials and the National Weather Service.
Forecast details may adjust as models update overnight, so it is worth monitoring local alerts and checking the National Weather Service and city pages for the latest information. The Extreme Heat Watch is a step up from the heat advisories issued earlier this week and signals that Angelenos should be ready for sustained high temperatures through Friday, March 20, 2026.
