Trending Now - California and Southwest Brace for Record-breaking Heat Wave

WHO:

Daniel Swain, climate scientist

Alexander Gershunov, research meteorologist with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego

Robbie Monroe, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard

California Department of Public Health

WHAT:

Daniel Swain described the heat wave as “a full-on summer heat wave in March” in a post on X.

Temperatures are expected to peak from March 17th to March 20th, 2026, with highs in the 80s along the coast and into the 90s and past 100 degrees inland, likely shattering records.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory starting at 10 a.m. on March 16th, 2026, lasting through 10 a.m. on March 17th, 2026, and an extreme heat warning from March 17th, 2026, until 8 p.m. on March 20th, 2026, for much of Los Angeles County including Woodland Hills, East Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Westlake Village.

Temperatures by March 20th are expected to reach 91 degrees in Santa Barbara, 98 degrees in downtown Los Angeles, 97 degrees in Long Beach, 100 degrees in Canoga Park and Santa Clarita, and 103 degrees in Covina.

In Orange County and the Inland Empire, temperatures will soar to 99 degrees in Anaheim, 82 degrees in San Clemente, 105 degrees in San Bernardino, 102 degrees in Riverside, and 103 degrees in Hemet by March 20th, 2026.

The weather service warns of dangerously hot conditions with temperatures between 96 and 104 degrees.

An early heat wave is set to hit Southern California, posing a public safety threat.

Temperatures are expected to peak between March 17th and March 20th, 2026, with highs in the 80s along the coast and into the 90s and past 100 degrees inland.

Expected temperatures by March 20th include 91 degrees in Santa Barbara, 98 degrees in downtown Los Angeles, 97 degrees in Long Beach, 100 degrees in Canoga Park and Santa Clarita, and 103 degrees in Covina.

In Orange County and the Inland Empire, temperatures will reach 99 degrees in Anaheim, 82 degrees in San Clemente, 105 degrees in San Bernardino, 102 degrees in Riverside, and 103 degrees in Hemet.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory starting at 10 a.m. on March 16th, 2026, lasting through 10 a.m. on March 17th, 2026, and an extreme heat warning from March 17th, 2026, until 8 p.m. on March 20th, 2026.

Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, with over 21,500 fatalities since 1999.

WHERE:

Southern California, including Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, Canoga Park, Santa Clarita, Covina, Anaheim, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Hemet.

WHEN:

The heat wave is expected to peak from March 17th to March 20th, 2026.

The heat advisory began on March 16th, 2026, at 10 a.m. and will last until March 17th, 2026, at 10 a.m.

The extreme heat warning will be in effect from March 17th, 2026, until March 20th, 2026, at 8 p.m.

WHY:

The public is less prepared for extreme heat in March, according to Alexander Gershunov.

The early heat wave is attributed to climate change, which has led to more prolonged and severe episodes of extreme heat.

The public is less prepared for extreme heat in March due to the unusual timing of the heat wave.

HOW:

Cooling centers at public libraries and community centers will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for residents to escape the heat.

California launched an action plan in 2022 to combat heat-related deaths, which includes educating the public, protecting workers, and supporting projects like green spaces and cooling centers.

Cooling centers at public libraries and community centers will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for residents to escape the heat.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 03:47 UTC)

A significant heat wave is sweeping through Southern California, with temperatures expected to peak from today through March 20, reaching highs in the 80s along the coast and soaring into the 90s and even past 100 degrees inland. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory and an extreme heat warning for much of Los Angeles County, where dangerously hot conditions are anticipated, including 103 degrees in Covina and 105 degrees in San Bernardino. To help residents cope with the extreme temperatures, cooling centers at public libraries and community centers will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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(UPDATED March 17, 2026 01:31 UTC)

An early heat wave is hitting Southern California, with temperatures expected to soar into the 80s along the coast and surpass 100 degrees inland from March 17th to March 20, 2026. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory that began last Monday and an extreme heat warning effective today until 8 p.m. on March 20, highlighting the public safety threat posed by this unusual March heat, which is attributed to climate change and has led to over 21,500 weather-related fatalities since 1999. Cooling centers at public libraries and community centers will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to help residents escape the extreme conditions.