Record-Setting Temperatures Blanket Greater Los Angeles; More Heat Expected Next Week

Southland heat wave intensifies, with temperatures 15-25 degrees above normal and potential for new records

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:11pm

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A Southland heat wave has intensified, with record-setting temperatures reaching the mid-80s to mid-90s across most coastal and valley areas in the Greater Los Angeles region on Friday. The hot weather is expected to continue through the weekend and get even hotter next week, with the National Weather Service predicting "a large, long-lasting and dangerous heat wave -- quite possibly one of the top heat wave events for the month of March, ever."

Why it matters

The prolonged and intense heat wave poses risks of heat-related illnesses, especially for vulnerable populations. It also strains power grids and can impact agriculture, transportation, and other critical infrastructure. The extreme temperatures are a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change on regional weather patterns.

The details

On Friday, Long Beach Airport reached a high of 92 degrees, tying the record for that day set in 2007, while Camarillo reached a record high of 93 degrees, breaking the previous high of 89 degrees set in 2015. The heat wave is expected to affect the region through Sunday, with only minor cooling on Saturday. However, next week could be even hotter, with the National Weather Service predicting "dangerously high" temperatures that could be 20 to 30 degrees above normal, potentially making it one of the top heat wave events for March on record.

  • On Thursday, Long Beach Airport reached a high of 92 degrees, tying the record for that day set in 2007.
  • On Friday, Camarillo reached a record high of 93 degrees, breaking the previous high of 89 degrees set in 2015.
  • The heat wave is forecasted to affect the region through Sunday.
  • Next week, the heat wave is expected to intensify, with the hottest day likely being Tuesday, when coastal areas could reach the mid-80s to lower-90s and valley areas could range from 95 to 102 degrees.
  • The extreme heat is expected to continue through Thursday of next week.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related warnings and advisories.

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What they’re saying

“It will be another very warm day across the area with afternoon temperatures 15-25 degrees above normal.”

— National Weather Service (Patch.com)

“Still, max temps will be 10 to 15 degrees over normal and people working or playing outside should be mindful of the heat and its effects.”

— National Weather Service (Patch.com)

What’s next

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch that will be in effect from Monday through Friday, warning of the potential for a "historic, long and record-breaking March heat wave." Residents and officials will need to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate precautions to protect public health and safety.

The takeaway

This prolonged and intense heat wave is a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change on regional weather patterns. The extreme temperatures pose serious risks to public health and safety, and underscore the need for communities to be prepared for and adapt to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events.