By Reginald Stanley. Posted March 19, 2026, 2:27 PM.

As an unusually intense area of high pressure sits over the Western U.S., temperatures as much as 30 degrees above-average and nearing the 100 degree mark this week continue to scorch much of Southern California.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the counties of San Diego, western Riverside, southwestern San Bernardino, Orange, and coastal Los Angeles through 8 PM Friday. In addition, an Extreme Heat Warning is in effect until 8 PM Saturday for the deserts, as well as interior Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The National Weather Service recommends individuals to drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks if you must be outdoors. Reduce outdoor activities, especially during afternoon hours; Check on friends, family, and neighbors without A/C. Heat risk remains widespread moderate across the region, along with areas of major heat risk, through Friday.

WeatherCurrents stations in Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto had already reached 100 degrees several days prior, a trend continuing today and likely tomorrow. Other communities recorded high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s this week. Fire danger, while a significant concern with any heat wave, is not particularly high during this event - mainly due to the lack of offshore winds. Of the record high temperatures being shattered or tied across the region this week, many of the previous record highs were set in March 2007. Many communities are setting new records for earliest 100 degree temperature, especially in the deserts. Temperatures are forecast to reach their peak Thursday and Friday across the region, however much above-normal temperatures will continue into next week. As we approach the end of the month, the likelihood of any precipitation falling before then is very low, based on current trends. If the month were to end today, March will have ended a full eight degrees above average across much of the inland valleys - and completely dry. This punctuates a broader trend of a historically warm winter across the majority of the Western U.S. this year.