ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A historic October heat wave continued to grip Orange County and much of Southern California Wednesday after Anaheim set another daily temperature record Tuesday, one day after temperatures soared to 104 in Anaheim and 106 degrees in Santa Ana.
Anaheim reached 100 degrees Tuesday, breaking the previous Oct. 6 record of 99 set in 2005, according to a National Weather Service San Diego record report. That followed an even hotter Monday, when Anaheim reached 104, breaking its previous Oct. 5 record of 99 set in 2020, while Santa Ana soared to 106, surpassing its previous daily record of 103 set in 1953.
The heat has shattered or tied records across Southern California. Downtown Los Angeles reached 104 degrees Monday, breaking the previous Oct. 5 record of 101, while Woodland Hills hit 106. Long Beach Airport tied its daily record at 104, Los Angeles International Airport tied its record at 101 and Hollywood Burbank Airport tied its record at 102, according to the National Weather Service's Los Angeles forecast discussion.
The duration of the heat has been particularly remarkable in downtown Los Angeles, where Tuesday became the fifth consecutive day with temperatures reaching at least 100 degrees, extending a new October record. Forecasters said Wednesday morning there was only a 30 percent chance downtown would reach 100 again, meaning the streak will likely end at five days.
Record heat also continued across San Diego County Tuesday. Vista reached 101 degrees, Chula Vista hit 97, Escondido climbed to 105 and Ramona reached 101, all setting daily records, while Alpine tied its record at 100. Those records followed an even hotter Monday, when Escondido reached 106. San Diego tied its Oct. 5 record at 97, while Oceanside Harbor tied its record at 93, according to the National Weather Service San Diego record report.
The heat is not finished yet, but relief is finally on the horizon. The National Weather Service's latest San Diego forecast discussion says the long-duration heat wave will continue across coastal and valley areas through Thursday before cooling spreads farther inland Friday and Saturday.
An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for coastal and inland Orange County. Inland communities including Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Fullerton, Orange, Mission Viejo and Garden Grove could still see highs from the mid-90s to around 100 degrees, while temperatures closer to the beaches are expected to range from the mid-80s to lower 90s.
The cooldown will become more noticeable Friday and Saturday as the ridge responsible for the prolonged heat weakens and low pressure approaches the region. Even with the cooling, temperatures are expected to remain around 5 degrees above average Saturday, according to the Weather Service.
The sharp cooldown could be accompanied by another dramatic change: rain.
A low-pressure system approaching from the southwest Sunday, combined with tropical moisture, could bring showers to Southern California from late Saturday night through Sunday night, with additional chances continuing through Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service.
Orange County's coastline is already facing hazards from elevated surf and unusually high tides. A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. Wednesday through 11 a.m. Friday, while a Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect through Friday evening for the Orange and San Diego county coasts.
Forecasters expect surf of 3 to 6 feet, dangerous rip currents and minor coastal flooding around high tides, particularly in low-lying areas such as beach parking lots, boardwalks and roads. High tides are expected to peak between about 6.5 and 7 feet during the mornings and evenings.
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