Southern California is bracing for a stretch of unseasonably hot weather this week, with the National Weather Service issuing an updated heat advisory for Los Angeles that will remain in effect until Thursday night.
The warning, issued early Tuesday by the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard office, runs from 8 a.m. Tuesday through 9 p.m., Thursday, and covers a wide swath of the region, including downtown Los Angeles and Inglewood.
According to forecasters, downtown Los Angeles could see temperatures climb into the mid to upper 80s, while Inglewood is expected to hit the low 80s. Wednesday is shaping up to be the hottest day of the stretch.
Humidity levels are also expected to rise, which forecasters say will make the heat feel even more oppressive during afternoon hours. Conditions are expected to ease slightly after Thursday.
The advisory comes on the heels of broader warnings from the National Weather Service covering much of the Pacific Southwest, where some inland areas are forecast to top 100 degrees this week.
The timing is notable, as the region is also seeing an influx of visitors tied to the FIFA World Cup, with hundreds of thousands of fans expected to pass through Southern California in the coming days.
Who Is Most at Risk
Health officials are warning that the heat poses a serious risk to vulnerable populations.
The NWS specifically flagged young children, elderly residents, people without access to air conditioning, and anyone planning to be active outdoors as being at elevated risk for heat-related illness.
Los Angeles County’s emergency preparedness office, ReadyLACounty, has also stepped in with its own alert, noting that an Extreme Heat Watch is in place across much of the county.
The agency is urging residents to plan and pointing people toward cooling center locations available through the county’s website for those who need a break from the heat.
Some residents online have expressed confusion over the warnings, pointing out that highs in the mid to upper 80s do not always feel like cause for alarm compared to triple-digit readings inland.
But experts note that humidity, sun exposure duration, and lack of overnight cooling can all combine to make even moderate heat dangerous, particularly for those without reliable air conditioning.
How to Stay Safe
The National Weather Service has issued a familiar but important list of safety reminders for residents as the advisory plays out. Staying hydrated is at the top of the list, along with spending as much time as possible in air-conditioned spaces.
People are urged to avoid direct sun exposure when they can and to check in on elderly neighbors or relatives who may be more susceptible to the heat.
Parents and pet owners are being reminded not to leave children or animals unattended in vehicles, since interior car temperatures can become dangerous within minutes, even on days that do not feel extreme outside.
Anyone working or spending extended time outdoors is encouraged to take frequent breaks in shaded or cooled areas, and to shift strenuous activity to early morning or evening hours when temperatures are lower.
Knowing the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke is also key, officials say, along with wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to help the body regulate temperature.
Anyone who notices signs of heat illness in themselves or others is urged to move to a cool location immediately and call 911 if symptoms become severe.
The advisory is set to lift Thursday night, with slightly cooler conditions expected to follow into the weekend.
