Dangerous Heat And Chance Of Rain Kick Off SoCal Summer

LOS ANGELES, CA — A fast-approaching heatwave is expected to push temperatures into the low-to-mid 90's in Southern California, and reach 100 degrees in the inland region this week, forecasters announced on Monday.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will steadily climb starting Monday and peak on Wednesday as a high pressure system moves into the region, bringing above-average temperatures in inland and desert areas, including Coachella Valley.

The high pressure system will melt the marine layer that has produced grey skies over the last few days in some parts of Southern California before weakening on Thursday, forecasters said.

The heat wave will largely spare Southern California's coastal areas, which will see cooler temperatures throughout the week. Coastal high temperatures, are expected to average in the mid 70's and reaching up to low 80's, according to the National Weather Service.

"At upper levels, the ridge will nose in from the southeast through the period, peaking in strength on Tuesday. At the surface, moderate to strong onshore gradients will persist to the east with some weak northerly offshore gradients," said forecasters from NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard.

"Forecast-wise, main issue in the short term will be the building heat. As the ridge builds overhead, warming boundary layer and more limited marine influence, temperatures will be on the upswing for all areas through Wednesday," the weather service warned. "In fact, by Tuesday/Wednesday, areas away from the immediate coastal plain will generally be 4-8 degrees above seasonal normals. Additionally on Wednesday, an influx of some mid-level moisture across LA and Ventura counties may exacerbate the heat a little bit more."

The National Weather Service heat advisory will go into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday through 9 p.m. Thursday for Los Angeles County, the Coachella Valley, San Gabriel Mountains and inland coastal areas.

“Afternoon high temperatures away from the coast are forecast to warm up to 4-10 degrees above normal beginning Tuesday,” according to the weather service.

Tuesday will bring a low chance for light rainfall as early as Tuesday evening in Los Angeles and Ventura counties but forecasters say the chances of rain are currently between 5 to 15 percent.

The weather service said Southern California will continue to be the gusty southwesterly winds across interior sections, but any advisory level winds will remain localized in the desert foothills.

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