90 Degrees In January? Heat Wave To Cook SoCal With Record-Breaking Temperatures

Temperatures shot up as much as 20 degrees between Wednesday and Thursday to kick off a warming trend that forecasters say is likely to set records across Southern California.

A high pressure system over the Pacific Ocean was beginning to strengthen Thursday, bringing warmer temperatures and windy conditions across the region into Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Highs are expected to be 12 to 18 degrees above normal on Friday and Saturday.

We figured you deserved some beautiful weather :) Highs through the weekend will be 5-15 degrees above normal, with mostly sunny skies and light winds to round out the week and start the weekend. pic.twitter.com/lFTUNZRuBL
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) January 27, 2026

The warmest day in Los Angeles County is expected to be Friday, while temperatures are set to peak on Saturday in the Inland Empire, Coachella Valley and Orange and San Diego counties.

Saturday "would be quite the interesting day...making our area the warmest spot in all 50 states as multiple inches of snow is anticipated to fall over the Carolinas with even snow flurries as far south as the Tampa Bay region in Florida," NWS forecasters in San Diego wrote.

On Friday, most coastal and valley locations in LA County will see highs in the 80s. There's a 25% chance of some locations reaching 90 degrees. Record highs were likely on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, according to the NWS.

"There is little in the way of change on Saturday" in LA County, forecasters wrote. "It will be a picture-postcard day with max temps 12 to 18 degrees above normal."

On Saturday, there's a 50-50 chance of highs over 85 degrees in areas including Ontario, Riverside, Anaheim, Poway and El Cajon. Multiple records and possible. Highs will be similar in those areas on Friday as well, forecasters said.

Forecasted High Temperatures

Wind gusts across the mountains and coastal-facing foothills were around 25 to 40 mph on Thursday and expected to weaken into the afternoon. Those same speeds will return in the evening and into Friday.

Greater wind speeds are expected across mountains and passes in San Diego and Riverside counties; the highest winds will occur around sunset Friday evening and continue, though at weaker speeds, through Saturday night, forecasters said.

Forecasters in LA County described the wind as a "low end Santa Ana" event, where some isolated gusts in the Santa Monica Mountains could reach 55 mph.

Looking ahead to next week, temperatures are expected to cool from 4 to 10 degrees across Southern California, though highs will still end up being 6 to 12 degrees above normal, forecasters said.

Temperatures are expected to cool further on Monday, ranging from maximum temperatures in the 70s in most areas, with some beaches hitting the upper 60s.