Winter Heat is Coming to Southern California: Here’s What to Expect
Winter, Where? Temperatures Set to Surge in Los Angeles
As the week begins, Los Angeles County is experiencing a cooler start, but a significant warm-up is on the horizon. Residents can expect temperatures to climb sharply by the end of the week.
On Monday, March 9, NBC Los Angeles meteorologist Belen De Leon reported a high of 72 degrees for the day. This marks a notable drop from the record-breaking heat experienced over the weekend, where temperatures soared to 89 degrees in Newport Beach, surpassing the previous 84-degree record set for this time of year in 2004.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, March 10, a high of around 70 degrees is anticipated, with a morning characterized by cloudy conditions due to a deep marine layer. The gloom is expected to continue into Wednesday, March 11, when temperatures will rise slightly to a high of approximately 77 degrees while remaining under a blanket of clouds.
By Thursday, March 12, the cooler weather will dissipate, giving way to significantly warmer conditions. De Leon explained that temperatures will escalate into the 90s, reaching a high of around 93 degrees in Downtown Los Angeles. Thursday and Friday are predicted to be the hottest days of the week, with the possibility of temperatures again hitting 93 degrees on Friday, March 13. The National Weather Service’s HeatRisk map indicates moderate and severe heat risks across various parts of LA County.
Remarkably, Thursday will not mark the first 90-degree day of the season; that record was set on February 27, the earliest occurrence in Downtown LA in the past five years. Typically, 90-degree days in the region do not appear until late April or early May, and sometimes they can be delayed until June. The earliest recorded 90-degree day in Downtown LA dates back to January 8, 1923.
As the weekend approaches, temperatures are expected to cool slightly. On Saturday, March 14, the high is projected to be around 86 degrees, dropping further to 84 degrees by Sunday, March 15. Despite this slight cooldown, De Leon noted that weekend temperatures will remain above normal for this time of year.
Rain is not on the forecast, with De Leon predicting below-normal precipitation levels for the week and the following week, indicating a dry spell ahead for Los Angeles.
