'Extreme Heat' To Scorch SoCal As Heatwave Reaches The Coast

LOS ANGELES, CA — Following a brief reprieve from the heat, scorching temperatures are set to build across Southern California beginning Thursday, with "major to extreme" heat expected in some parts of the region by the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

"A large portion of the mountains, foothills, [deserts] and valleys away from the coast will experience dangerously hot conditions, and very warm conditions may extend toward the coast," the NWS said. "An Excessive Heat Watch has been issued for a large portion of the Southern California mountains, foothills, and valleys away from the coast starting Friday — for the onset of what is expected to be a prolonged and significant heatwave."

The heat will continue to build over inland areas for the remainder of the week, with temperatures rising 2 to 5 degrees each day beginning Thursday. By Friday, dangerously hot temperatures will begin to be widespread across SoCal, with highs exceeding 110 in the deserts, around 100 in the Inland Empire and in the mid to high 90s in the valleys and mountains.

By Saturday, inland temperatures are forecast to be 5 to 10 degrees above average.

A long duration heat wave is expected to last into al least this weekend, especially across the interior. Heat stroke deaths of kids and pets in parked cars are preventable! Look Before You Lock! #LAWeather #cawx pic.twitter.com/uNxad8GL7p
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) July 17, 2024

An Excessive Heat Watch is in effect this weekend for areas including the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, the San Gabriel Mountains, the Antelope Valley and the high and low deserts across SoCal.

But coastal areas won't catch much of a break.

The marine layer is expected to become increasingly shallow as the heat builds across the region. Temperatures are expected to gradually rise through the 70s in coastal Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.

By Friday, coastal temperatures will range from the mid-70s to around 80 in a trend that's expected to stick around into early next week. Inland from the beach, temperatures are expected to hit the mid 80s.

Monsoonal moisture could also bring thunderstorms to interior mountains, valleys and the high desert across SoCal through the weekend, the NWS said.

Thunderstorm chances were below 20 percent as of Wednesday, but the chance could increase in some areas in the coming days.

We have initiated Key Messages for a heat wave that will impact portions of the Western U.S. beginning this weekend. 🥵 pic.twitter.com/sn74EVIOZH
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) July 16, 2024