Southern California’s Temperature Rise and Outlook
As Southern California enters Monday, residents from Burbank to Santa Clarita should brace for the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures on the rise. However, officials caution that this heat will be short-lived.
Monday’s Forecast: Record Heat on the Horizon
The National Weather Service anticipates that temperatures will soar to around 87 degrees in downtown Los Angeles, while Burbank could see highs of 90 degrees. Areas within the San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Santa Clarita valleys are expected to break the 90-degree mark.
Woodland Hills is projected to reach the highest temperature in the region, possibly hitting 95 degrees, according to meteorologist Bryan Lewis from the National Weather Service in Oxnard. Coastal areas will also experience warmer-than-usual conditions, with temperatures lingering in the high 60s to low 70s.
Potential for Record-Breaking Temperatures
Parts of the San Fernando Valley may witness temperatures that challenge historic records. Specifically, Woodland Hills could surpass its record of 89 degrees set in 1988 for March 24. Similarly, cities like Lancaster and Palmdale may break their respective records of 86 and 84 degrees from 1956. However, downtown Los Angeles is not expected to break its record of 94 degrees.
Short-Lived Heat Wave
Despite the peak temperatures forecasted for Monday, a cooling trend is expected to begin on Tuesday, when temperatures will drop slightly. A more significant decline is signaled for Wednesday, when temperatures could fall considerably due to a shifting weather pattern. For instance, Woodland Hills may see a drop from 95 degrees on Monday to just 75 degrees by Wednesday.
Understanding the Heat Wave’s Context
This current spike in temperature should not be interpreted as an early arrival of summer. According to Lewis, residents can expect a return to cooler conditions quite soon, emphasizing that this heat is more of a transient phase. He noted, “If you like the warmth, it’ll be nice for the next couple days. But if you don’t like it, don’t worry: The cooler weather will be coming back fairly soon.”
Looking ahead, Lewis also mentioned potential rain in early April, although the timing and extent of this precipitation remain uncertain.
The Drought Situation Remains Critical
Despite some recent rainfall, much of Southern California continues to grapple with severe or extreme drought conditions. Current data from the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that precipitation levels since October 1 are still significantly below average, particularly in the southern part of the state. Coastal regions report rainfall amounts at only 40% to 60% of what is typical for this time of year.
While Northern California shows above-average precipitation and snowpack, the Southern Sierra’s levels sit at just 87% of average. The U.S. Drought Monitor highlighted that while some meaningful rain has landed in the Southwest, the impact on the ongoing drought has been minimal. Long-term forecasts indicate that Southern California may see below-average precipitation and slightly above-normal temperatures in April.