Temperatures in Southern California are set to soar on Monday, with many areas likely to experience the hottest day of the year so far. However, officials say this heat will not last long. According to Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Oxnard, temperatures are forecast to reach 87 degrees in downtown Los Angeles and 90 degrees in Burbank.
Tuesday will be the hottest day in the deserts this week, with a few locations near 100 degrees. It will be slightly cooler west of the mountains though. High temperatures will be 10-19 degrees above normal inland but only around 5 degrees above average near the coast. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/tqTiUis2ym
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) March 24, 2025
Even warmer temperatures are predicted in the San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Santa Clarita valleys, with Woodland Hills potentially reaching 95 degrees. Some areas could see historic temperatures. The highest temperature recorded for March 24 in Woodland Hills was 89 degrees in 1988, while Lancaster and Palmdale reached 86 and 84 degrees, respectively, in 1956.
“We are looking to break that probably,” Lewis said. The coast will also be a little warmer than usual, with temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s. Temperatures across the region will remain warm but fall just a few degrees on Tuesday.
🪻Beautiful spring day today with lighter winds, more sunshine, and mild temperatures. Near record highs by Thursday. Cooler and unsettled for the weekend. #COwx pic.twitter.com/kUWrDZPK2U
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) March 25, 2025
Southern California temperature records
They will drop significantly on Wednesday, and the cooling pattern will last until the end of the week. In Woodland Hills, for example, the peak temperature is forecast to drop from 95 degrees Monday to 90 degrees Tuesday before plummeting to 75 degrees Wednesday.
Lewis mentioned that Monday’s weather is more of a blip than a sign that summer is coming early. “If you like the warmth, it’ll be nice for the next couple of days,” he said. But if you don’t like it, don’t worry: The cooler weather will be coming back fairly soon.
Whatever your plans are this week make sure to keep practicing smart heat safety. Limit your time outdoors, especially during the afternoon, and take frequent breaks in the AC or shade. Also remember to drink plenty of water. #azwx #cawx #HeatSafety pic.twitter.com/8TbaGJ6YdH
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) March 25, 2025
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, despite recent rainstorms, most of Southern California remains in “severe” or “extreme” drought conditions.
Precipitation for this water year, which begins October 1, is still well below average for the southern third of the state. While Northern California’s precipitation and snowpack are above average for the year, the Southern Sierra remains significantly below average, according to the California Department of Water Resources. Long-term predictions show that April likely won’t make up for such shortages.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, precipitation is expected to be below average in Southern California next month, and temperatures are forecast to be slightly higher than typical for the region.
Image Credits: Photo by Florian Schneider on Unsplash
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