Heat Wave Hits SoCal: Temperatures Climb 15 Degrees Above Normal

LOS ANGELES, CA — The heat will ramp up Friday afternoon, pushing temperatures up to 15 degrees above average and making for SoCal's warmest days of the year so far.

While the National Weather Service expects Friday will be the hottest of the stretch for the coasts and valleys, the deserts and mountains will get even warmer on Saturday, and it will be more than a little toasty for the last weekend of Coachella.

"High ranging from the middle and upper 70s near the coast to the upper 80s in portions of the Inland Empire and northern Orange County remain on track for today under sunny skies," the National Weather Service said Friday. "The ridge then looks to weaken on Saturday with the ridge axis shifting eastward, leading to the lower deserts seeing their warmest day, with many locations there reaching the upper 90s to near 100 degrees."

Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino should all get close to 90 degrees Friday afternoon, with things running a little cooler along the coasts, ranging from 70 to 80 degrees near the beaches. San Diego will get close to 80 degrees.

While temperatures inland will shave off a few degrees Saturday, it will still feel rather summery for most with LA hitting clearing 80 degrees for a second day and San Diego staying sunny in the low 70s.

More relief will come early in the week, with the return of a few clouds.

"The forecast for Monday has not changed and is still on track to be the coolest of the next 7 as onshore flow and [troughing] persist over the area," NWS San Diego said. "Max temps will drop another 2 to 4 degrees, and most coastal and valley locations will top out between 65 and 75 degrees."

Temperatures will edge a little higher after Monday, climbing back toward 80 around Los Angeles by Thursday, with some morning fog and partly sunny afternoons. Climate outlooks still favor hotter-than-average temps for the last few days of the month.