Heat wave kicks off Labor Day weekend, with ‘hazardous’ temperatures seen into the week

A warm Labor Day is expected across Southern California, with a more extreme heat wave on the way, forecasters said.

“Temperatures are expected to increase by a few degrees each day, with hazardous heat developing (mid-week) across most areas besides the beaches,” the National Weather Service announced.

The Inland Empire will see significantly warmer temperatures through Labor Day weekend and into the week, kicking off with highs in the 90s and low 100s on Sunday — roughly three to six degrees above average, Chandler Price, NWS meteorologist, said.

With the thermometer inching up daily, he said, temperatures could reach between 105 to 110 at the peak of the heat wave on Thursday.

The heat will affect all of the Inland Empire, with San Bernardino, Riverside, and the area between Lake Elsinore and Moreno Valley experiencing some of the hottest temperatures during the week, forecasters said.

A weaker sea breeze combined with an area of high pressure over Southern California brings clear sunny skies and warmer weather but creates a potential for heat waves, such as the one this week, Rich Thompson, NWS meteorologist, said.

Downtown Los Angeles is expected to reach 88 degrees on Sunday, 91 degrees on Labor Day and 94 by Wednesday. The days will be hotter in the valleys; the Antelope Valley is already seeing triple-digit highs. The Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys will also exceed 100 degrees beginning Tuesday, and the San Gabriel Valley will hit that mark by Thursday.

Nighttime temperatures also be on the rise, too; they’re expected to remain in the 70s in the valleys in the latter part of the week and into next weekend.

Orange County will also feel the heat, with Anaheim expected to reach 88 degrees on Sunday and 90 degrees on Monday, then rising to 92 on Wednesday.

We've been hinting at some hot weather expected later this week. Our confidence is increasing in seeing highs near 10 to locally 15 degrees above average. The time is now to prepare for the incoming hot weather! #CAwx pic.twitter.com/m3RiDEfT1I

— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) September 1, 2024

The hot, dry weather will also create elevated wildfire conditions across the mountains, valleys and deserts throughout the week.

Health officials are reminding people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, keep out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors, and to not leave young children or pets in unattended vehicles, where interiors reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.