Downtown Los Angeles started off on the chilly side this morning, around 56°F, but Tuesday, May 19, is shaping up to feel a lot warmer, with highs near 80°F and mostly sunny skies. Wildfire smoke drifting into the basin has triggered an Air Quality Alert through Tuesday evening (May 19), and dry offshore gusts have pushed humidity to very low levels in parts of the region. It is a good day to schedule outdoor plans for the morning or later in the evening and to keep close tabs on air quality if you have asthma or other breathing issues.
Afternoon Heat And Gusty Valleys
Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 70s to low 80s across the city and inland valleys on Tuesday and Wednesday (May 19–20), while coastal neighborhoods stay a few degrees cooler. Canyon corridors and lower mountain areas could see gusts in the 30 to 40 mph range, with humidity dropping into the single digits to teens, conditions that can quickly ramp up fire danger in dry brush. Central neighborhoods should see light to moderate west-southwest afternoon breezes, with the strongest gusts staying focused over passes and higher terrain, according to the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard.
Air Quality And Health Advice
The South Coast AQMD has issued an Air Quality Alert through Tuesday evening (May 19) for elevated fine-particle smoke, so many residents may notice hazier skies and some breathing irritation. To cut your exposure, stay indoors with windows and doors closed, run air conditioning or a HEPA air purifier if you have one, skip strenuous outdoor workouts, and wear a well-fitting N95 mask if you need to be outside for a while, according to the South Coast AQMD. If you rely on whole-house fans or swamp coolers that pull in outside air, try to use other cooling options instead while smoke levels are up.
Looking Ahead
Warming continues into Wednesday (May 20) with low 80s becoming more common inland, then a return to onshore flow and a deeper marine layer on Thursday, May 21 will bring cooler, cloudier mornings through the weekend. Highs should slip a few degrees along most coasts and valleys by Friday as May gray settles in, while some interior spots hang onto near-seasonal temperatures. Check the latest forecasts and AQMD advisories before locking in any big outdoor plans this week.
