Heat Wave Scorches Los Angeles with Extreme Temperatures Affecting Millions

Heat Wave in Los Angeles Reaches Extreme Levels

A series of scorching, triple-digit temperatures across Southern California led to warnings from public health officials and some schools closing earlier Friday as part of a larger heat wave gripping an area of the southwestern U.S. spanning three states.

Excessive Heat Warnings Issued

More than 31 million people in California, Nevada, and Arizona were under an excessive heat warning issued by forecasters as temperatures soared Friday, according to the National Weather Service. In Southern California, the advisory is expected to last until Monday night after forecasters extended an earlier warning that was supposed to end Friday.

• Residents faced scorching temperatures well into the triple digits.
• Temperatures hit up to 119 degrees in Woodland Hills, and 115 degrees in Riverside.
• Air quality regulators warned of unhealthy breathing conditions tied to the heat.

School Closures and Power Outages

Some Los Angeles area schools ended classes early due to the weather and power outages. In Pasadena, rolling outages were issued after the extreme heat caused an equipment failure. A number of cities saw record-breaking temperatures Friday, prompting public health officials to act swiftly.

Heat Warnings Span Across Regions

The excessive heat warning extends from the southernmost end of Central California all the way across Southern California to the U.S.-Mexico border. The National Weather Service has warned of potential risks posed by these extreme temperatures.