Downtown Los Angeles woke up to a muggy 66°F this morning, and that sticky feeling is not going anywhere tonight. A multi-day heat wave is settling in, set to peak in the middle of the week with very little relief after sunset. Forecast highs are expected to climb into the upper 80s on Tuesday and push into the mid 90s on Wednesday, with even hotter readings farther from the coast. Anyone without solid air conditioning or who spends long hours working outside should be making a game plan now.
When and Where
The National Weather Service has an Extreme Heat Warning in place from 10 AM Tuesday, July 14, through 8 PM Thursday, July 16, for much of Los Angeles County, including Downtown LA. The city forecast calls for a high near 89°F on Tuesday and around 95°F on Wednesday, while some interior valleys are expected to hit 100 to 110°F. Overnight lows will barely dip into the upper 60s, which means limited cooling even after dark, according to NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard.
How It Will Feel
Light to moderate southwest winds with occasional gusts up to about 20 mph are expected Tuesday afternoon. That breeze will not be enough to offset warm, humid nights that will make afternoons feel especially oppressive around the city. The combo of hot days and warm nights raises the risk of heat-related illness for older adults, infants, and anyone who is active outdoors. If you need a cooler place to ride this out, you can call 2-1-1 or use the county’s interactive cooling center map to find hours and locations, according to Ready LA County.
Stay Safe
Health officials are sticking with the basics for extreme heat: drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous activity between 10 AM and 7 PM, and never leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a quick errand. Employers and outdoor workers should take frequent breaks in the shade or in air conditioning and follow heat safety guidelines. If someone shows signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place right away, and call 911 if heat stroke is suspected. Before locking in outdoor plans, check the latest forecasts and hazard details from NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard.
