Southern California will begin warming up quickly on Wednesday, but meteorologists warn that the real danger will arrive later this week as temperatures climb to levels usually seen in midsummer.
KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said the region will experience a moderate warm-up on Wednesday before a much stronger heatwave moves in for the weekend and possibly continues into next week.
“We have a very hot forecast headed our way,” DiCarlo said during KTLA’s morning forecast.
Temperatures are starting the day slightly cooler than Tuesday, sitting around 52 degrees early Wednesday morning — about five degrees lower than at the same time the previous day. However, the lack of cloud cover will allow temperatures to rise quickly once the sun comes up.
Clouds acted like a blanket Tuesday morning and helped keep temperatures in check. Without them on Wednesday, the sun will heat the region more rapidly, pushing afternoon highs several degrees higher than the previous day.
High temperatures Wednesday are expected to rise from the 70s into the mid-80s across many inland areas, including cities like Riverside and Ontario. Coastal communities will stay somewhat cooler because of a light sea breeze.
But the greater concern is what comes next, DiCarlo warned.
A heat advisory is expected to take effect as temperatures climb sharply on Thursday and Friday. Inland valleys could see highs in the mid- to upper-90s, with some locations nearing triple digits.
The hot weather is expected to last well beyond the workweek.
“This is going to be a big stretch of at least seven, perhaps 10 days with temperatures well above average,” DiCarlo said.
Forecasters say the sudden shift from mild weather to extreme heat can be especially dangerous because many residents have not yet adjusted to the warmer temperatures.
“Your body isn’t quite used to it yet,” DiCarlo said, warning that heat-related illness could become a concern as the temperatures rise.
Officials encourage residents to drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, and exercise during the cooler morning or evening hours whenever possible.
The approaching heatwave comes after warnings from the National Weather Service that temperatures across Southern California could run 20 to 30 degrees above normal for March, potentially breaking several daily records later this week.