Southern California's scorching heat wave peaks: Here's how hot it will get and when it will end

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.

Set us as preferred Wednesday is forecast to be the hottest day of Southern California’s worst heat wave of the summer.Most coastal and valley areas will be 10 to 15 degrees above normal, with temperatures topping 100 in the valleys, according to the National Weather Service.Downtown Los Angeles is expected to reach 101 degrees, which would break a daily record of 98 set in 1981.Forecasters say this event isn’t only uncomfortable, it’s dangerous — with a high risk of heat-related illness.It comes amid a sweltering summer that’s been characterized by high nighttime temperatures and muggy conditions, especially along the Southern California coast, due to unusually warm ocean waters.

Globally, last month tied 2024 as the warmest July since record-keeping began in 1850.And the average sea-surface temperature just hit a record 70 degrees, according to Europe’s Earth observation agency Copernicus, as the burning of fossil fuels continues to heat the planet.

California Until this week, Southern California’s summer temperatures had actually been “pretty typical,” according to the National Weather Service.So why has it felt so oppressive?This week’s heat has already broken daily records across Southern California, according to preliminary information from the National Weather Service.On Monday, downtown Los Angeles reached 98 degrees, surpassing a record of 96 set in 1931.

Long Beach Airport recorded a high of 97 degrees, breaking a record of 95 set in 2010.On Tuesday, Los Angeles International Airport recorded a high of 85 degrees, surpassing a record of 84 set in 1981; and Camarillo Airport reached 86 degrees, breaking a record of 85 set in 1931.Even the National Weather Service’s Oxnard station wasn’t spared — topping out at 87 degrees, besting a record of 85 set in 1931.But all that was just the (litera...