Copyright Newsweek
Los Angeles broke a 94-year-old temperature record on Tuesday as extreme heat prompted heat-related weather alerts for millions in Southern California. Newsweek reached out to NWS Los Angeles by phone for comment. Why It Matters Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the U.S., according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In 2024, heat killed 177 people in the U.S. Extreme temperatures prompt NWS meteorologists to issue heat-related alerts, which aim to educate people on the dangers of the hot weather. What To Know On Wednesday, a heat advisory remains in place for millions across Southern California. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 90s. The surge in heat comes as the NWS office in Los Angeles announced on Tuesday night that a 94-year-old daily temperature record had been broken. "Preliminary new high temperature records set today. Downtown LA had a high of 97 degrees, breaking the old record of 94 set in 1931," NWS Los Angeles posted on X. "NWS Oxnard had a high of 95 degrees, which ties the record previously set in 1931." The extreme heat is expected to persist through Wednesday night, with the heat advisory set to expire at 7 p.m. local time. Until then, people in the impacted areas are urged to stay hydrated, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, and check-up on relatives and neighbors. "There is a high risk for heat illness for sensitive populations including the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors," NWS Los Angeles said in the heat advisory. The hot weather also is increasing wildfire risk, with the first Santa Ana wind event of the season impacting parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Wednesday. NWS meteorologists warned that very warm temperatures could exacerbate fire conditions. "If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior, rapid fire growth, and long range spotting, which could threaten life and property," NWS Los Angeles said in a red flag warning. Much of coastal Southern California will experience moderate risk of heat-related impacts, with some areas expecting an extreme risk. What People Are Saying NWS HeatRisk in an explainer about the major risk of heat-related illness: "Affects anyone without cooling/hydration as well as health systems and industries." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a webpage about heat-related deaths: "Extreme heat events have long threatened public health in the United States. Many cities, including St. Louis, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Cincinnati, have suffered dramatic increases in death rates during heat waves. Deaths result from heat stroke and related conditions, but also from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cerebrovascular disease." What Happens Next The heat advisory will remain in place for Southern California until 7 p.m. local time Wednesday. Temperatures will likely remain above average for much of the U.S., including California, over the next two weeks, according to the eight- to 14-day temperature outlook from the NWS Climate Prediction Center.
