CA Temperatures Through 3/21/26 - Downtown LA 98, Long Beach 97, Santa Barbara 91, San Bernardino 105

[hatrack]

The unusual early heat wave set to hit Southern California this week is heightening concerns about public safety and will mark a test of the state’s efforts to combat heat-related deaths in a time of rising temperatures. The sweltering temperatures are arriving months earlier than typical and communities have not had time to acclimate, making the early-season heat particularly dangerous, experts say. Climate scientist Daniel Swain described it as “a full-on summer heat wave in March” in a post on X.

California has grappled with a rise of heat-related deaths in recent years as climate change has driven more prolonged and severe episodes of extreme heat. State officials have made it a priority to combat the crisis, launching an action plan in 2022 to educate the public about the health risks of high temperatures, protect workers from heat-related illness and support projects such green spaces, tree planting and cooling centers in urban environments.

EDIT

Temperatures by Friday are expected to reach 91 degrees in Santa Barbara, 98 in downtown Los Angeles, 97 in Long Beach, 100 in Canoga Park and Santa Clarita and 103 in Covina. In Orange County and the Inland Empire, temperatures will soar to 99 degrees in Anaheim, 82 in San Clemente, 105 in San Bernardino, 102 in Riverside and 103 in Hemet by Friday. Typically, temperatures across much of Southern California are in the high 60s or 70s in March, according to the weather service.

“It looks like it’s going to be a historic heat wave,” Monroe said. “This could be the hottest March heat wave we’ve ever had, depending on how it plays out.” The weather service issued a heat advisory that started at 10 a.m. Monday and was set to last through 10 a.m. Tuesday. By Tuesday morning, the advisory will become an extreme heat warning that will remain in place until 8 p.m. Friday for much of Los Angeles County including Woodland Hills, East Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Beverly Hills, Glendale and Westlake Village. The weather service warns of dangerously hot conditions with temperatures from 96 to 104 degrees.

EDIT

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-16/epic-southern-california-heat-wave-poses-deadly-health-threat

[quaint]

1. 100 yesterday, supposedly only 97 here, today.

Not complaining, except for loss of plants and grass. Shocking how fast they die.