
Yo, SoCal fam, brace yourselves - summer is going out with a bang! A monsoonal heat wave is rolling into the Southland this week, just in time to remind us that LA doesn’t do ‘chill’ when it comes to weather. We’re talking sticky humidity, scorching temps, and even a chance of thunderstorms as Tropical Storm Mario stirs up some serious drama off the coast.
After a brief reprieve of cooler vibes in early August, the heat is back with a vengeance. The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting daytime highs in the 80s along our iconic beaches like Carlsbad and Laguna Beach, while inland spots like Palm Desert could see the mercury climb to a brutal 101 degrees - or even 103 by Tuesday. It’s giving major ‘Malibu meltdown’ energy!
But it’s not just the heat that’s got us sweating. Moisture from Tropical Storm Mario is sneaking into the mix, hitching a ride with the monsoonal flow and potentially bringing thunderstorms as early as Tuesday afternoon to places like San Diego County. The NWS dropped a heads-up on Monday, saying there’s a lot of uncertainty about how much rain or cloud cover we’ll actually get.
By Wednesday and Thursday, light rain could sprinkle across SoCal, stretching into Friday with a sneaky threat of heavy downpours and flooding. So, whether you’re cruising down the 405 or chilling in the Valley, keep an eye out for slick roads and sudden showers. It’s like Mother Nature decided to throw a plot twist into our end-of-summer blockbuster.
Let’s break down the forecast for Wednesday across our Golden State playground. In LA, expect a high of 91 degrees - perfect for sweating through your Hollywood audition. Down by the coast, Carlsbad and Laguna Beach are looking at a more bearable 78 degrees, while Long Beach hits 86.
Inland, it’s a whole different story. Santee is climbing to 90, Temecula to 92, Banning to 93, and Palm Desert is straight-up roasting at 101. Mission Viejo isn’t far behind with 88 degrees (and 91 on Tuesday). So, if you’re planning a desert getaway, pack extra sunscreen and channel some Coachella survival vibes.
With this tropical heat sticking around, the NWS is reminding us to stay hydrated - grab that water bottle or some electrolytes and keep it close. Limit your time outdoors during peak heat hours, especially if you’re not used to this SoCal summer grind. And, real talk, never leave kids or pets in a car, even for a quick errand on Melrose.
“This heat wave is no joke, and with the added humidity from Tropical Storm Mario, it’s gonna feel like a steam room out there - stay safe, SoCal!” - Local Meteorologist Jamie Torres
Even with rain on the forecast mid-to-late week, don’t expect a cooldown just yet. Temps will stay warm and muggy into the weekend, so keep those beach towels and flip-flops handy. Whether you’re in the OC or the Inland Empire, let’s ride out this wild weather together - SoCal style!