Downtown Los Angeles is already heating up this afternoon, with clear skies, temperatures pushing into the mid 80s, and a forecast high near 92°F. The National Weather Service has a Heat Advisory in effect from 10 a.m. Monday (March 16) to 10 a.m. Tuesday (March 17), and an Extreme Heat Warning is expected to kick in at 10 a.m. Tuesday and run through 8 p.m. Friday (March 20). Overnight lows are forecast to stay unusually warm, mostly in the mid 60s, so there will be little real relief after sunset.
What To Expect
Temperatures are set to spike through the week. Inland and valley areas are forecast to climb into the mid to upper 90s, near 97 to 98°F, from Tuesday through Thursday, while neighborhoods right along the coast should be somewhat cooler in the upper 80s to low 90s. Nights will stay warm, with lows generally holding in the mid to upper 60s across much of the city. Forecasters are calling this a potentially historic late March heat event that could topple a number of daily or even monthly records, according to the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard.
Where To Cool Off
City officials are lining up cooler options for residents who do not have air conditioning. Public libraries and select Recreation & Parks facilities operate as cooling spots during regular hours, and some locations may extend hours during the hottest stretch. Downtown's Central Library at 630 W. 5th St. is among the regular cool locations for the area, although it is worth calling ahead to confirm any extended schedule. For maps, hours, and transit options serving cooling centers, check the City of Los Angeles.
Heat Safety Tips
Officials warn that there is a high risk of heat-related illness for anyone exposed to these conditions, especially very young children, older adults, and people without access to air conditioning. Residents are urged to drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, roughly 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., never leave people or pets in parked cars, and move to a cooler place right away if they begin to feel dizzy, faint, or confused. If symptoms are severe, call 911.
Plan Changes And Events
Outdoor events, organized runs, and construction work are likely to shift into earlier or later time slots or add extra breaks, with midday plans the most likely to be adjusted. Transit riders should be prepared for hot conditions on platforms and buses, and may want to use LADOT or Metro connections to reach activated cooling locations.
We flagged this warmup earlier in the month, and this update reflects the latest, stronger alerts and more precise timing from local forecasters. We will continue to update readers as advisories change and as cooling center locations and hours are finalized.
