Scorching Temperatures Forecast for Southern California

Records could fall as heat wave brings triple-digit temps to the region

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A potentially dangerous heat wave is forecast to hit Southern California this week, with temperatures expected to rise significantly above normal and potentially break heat records. Temperatures are forecast to reach the 90s along the coast and in the valleys, with some areas reaching 100 degrees. The exceptional warm-up follows a drier end to winter across the region, raising concerns about an earlier start to the fire season.

Why it matters

The extreme heat could pose risks to public health and safety, especially for vulnerable populations. It also has implications for the state's water supply and wildfire risk, as the heat accelerates the melting of the Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides about 30% of California's water.

The details

Temperatures are expected to rise at least 20 degrees above normal, with downtown Los Angeles forecast to hit 98 degrees on Friday. Other areas like Anaheim, Irvine, and the Coachella Valley are also expected to see temperatures reach the mid- to high 90s. While the heat is expected to cool slightly over the weekend, it's expected to remain hot for at least the early part of next week.

  • Temperatures will start warming up on Wednesday, March 12, 2026.
  • The peak heat is expected on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14, 2026.

The players

National Weather Service

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

Ryan Kittell

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, California.

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What they’re saying

“Typically for March, the average high temperatures are in the upper 60s to mid-70s depending on where you are in the L.A. area, so this does put us a good 20 to 30 degrees above normal for this time of year.”

— Ryan Kittell, Meteorologist (latimes.com)

“The one saving grace is that overnight lows are expected to be in the upper 50s and 60s, which is still well above normal, but at least there will be several hours of overnight relief.”

— National Weather Service (latimes.com)

What’s next

Experts say that even if a fire starts, the fuels are not yet dry enough to cause a massive conflagration. However, the continued heat is likely to further diminish the state's snowpack, which could lead to flooding and water supply shortages later in the season.

The takeaway

This heat wave highlights the growing threat of climate change-driven extreme weather events in Southern California, underscoring the need for communities to prepare for and adapt to these challenges in order to protect public health and safety, as well as the region's natural resources and infrastructure.