RECORD-BREAKING FEBRUARY HEAT WAVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Southern California is in the grip of an extraordinary and record-breaking heat wave this final week of February 2026, with temperatures soaring an astonishing 15 to 20 degrees above normal across the region. Inland valleys are baking in the low-to-mid 90s — numbers that belong in July, not February — and even coastal communities are seeing readings well into the upper 70s. The National Weather Service office in Oxnard has issued heat advisories for much of the Southland, and dozens of daily temperature records are falling like dominoes from Ventura County all the way down to San Diego.
NWS forecaster Robbie Munroe called the situation "extremely rare," noting that 90-degree temperatures during the December-through-February period are almost unheard of in the modern weather record for the Los Angeles basin. "We might see a freak 90-degree day once every 10 or 15 years in the valleys during winter, but to have multiple consecutive days at or above 90 in February is something that pushes the boundaries of what we've recorded," Munroe said.
🌡️ WHERE IT'S HOTTEST
The most extreme temperatures are concentrated in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys and the Inland Empire, but virtually every corner of Southern California is feeling the burn:
Woodland Hills and Burbank are leading the way with highs reaching a staggering 95°F this week. Woodland Hills, which famously holds the all-time Los Angeles County heat record of 121°F set back in September 2020, is once again proving why it is the region's hottest hot spot. Burbank's thermometers are right behind, with readings in the low-to-mid 90s daily. Residents in the eastern San Fernando Valley should take extra precautions, as concrete and asphalt amplify the heat in densely built-up neighborhoods.
Riverside and San Bernardino are sweltering in the low 90s. The Inland Empire is no stranger to heat, but February readings above 90°F are unprecedented for this time of year. Ontario, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and Moreno Valley are all experiencing similar extremes. Agricultural workers in the eastern Riverside County communities of Coachella, Thermal, and Mecca should be especially vigilant, as temperatures in the desert transition zone are running even hotter.
Anaheim and Irvine are seeing highs in the mid-to-high 80s, which is remarkable for Orange County communities that typically enjoy mild winter afternoons in the mid-60s this time of year. Outdoor activities at Disneyland, Angel Stadium, and the Great Park are all affected, and families visiting these venues should plan for hot conditions.
Downtown Los Angeles is threatening to break its all-time February high of 88°F. Forecasters say the mercury could hit 88 or 89 degrees downtown this week, which would shatter the previous record. The urban heat island effect in DTLA, where miles of pavement, glass towers, and limited green space trap and radiate heat, makes conditions feel even more oppressive at street level. People experiencing homelessness in the Skid Row area and throughout downtown are particularly vulnerable.
Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley are roasting in the upper 80s to low 90s. Communities like Arcadia, Monrovia, Azusa, Glendora, and Covina are all well above normal. The foothills trap hot air flowing down from the mountains, creating a furnace-like effect that persists well into the evening hours.
Coastal areas including Santa Monica, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, and Ventura are reaching the mid-to-upper 70s — which may sound pleasant, but is still 10 to 15 degrees above their late-February averages. The usual marine layer and ocean breeze that keep the coast cool have been completely suppressed by this weather pattern.
For context, the average high temperature in Los Angeles in late February is just 68°F. This week, we are running 20 or more degrees above that benchmark — an extraordinary departure from normal that underscores just how unusual this event is.
🌬️ WHAT'S CAUSING THIS HEAT WAVE?
The culprit behind this historic heat event is a stubborn and powerful high-pressure ridge that has parked itself over the Desert Southwest and Southern California. This dome of high pressure is acting like a giant lid on the atmosphere, compressing air downward, which causes it to heat up dramatically through a process called compressional warming. The ridge has been remarkably persistent, refusing to budge for nearly a week, and it is blocking the normal flow of Pacific storms that would typically bring cooler, cloudier weather to the region this time of year.
Compounding the heat are gusty Santa Ana winds, those infamous hot, dry winds that blow from the interior deserts toward the coast through the mountain passes and canyons of Southern California. The Santa Anas are funneling air that has been baking over the Mojave Desert and Great Basin down into the valleys and coastal plains, adding an extra 5 to 10 degrees of warming on top of what the high-pressure ridge alone would produce. Relative humidity levels have plunged into the single digits in some valley locations, creating conditions that feel more like the driest days of fire season than a winter afternoon.
The marine layer — that familiar blanket of cool, moist air off the Pacific that usually moderates SoCal temperatures — has been completely pushed offshore by the offshore flow. Without the marine layer, there is nothing to buffer communities from the full force of the sun and the hot desert air. Overnight low temperatures are also running well above normal, which means buildings, pavement, and soil never fully cool down, and each day starts from an already-elevated baseline.
⚠️ HEALTH RISKS: WHY FEBRUARY HEAT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS
One of the most critical things to understand about this heat wave is that February heat is MORE dangerous than summer heat, even at the same temperatures. The reason is simple: our bodies are not acclimatized. After months of cool winter weather, our cardiovascular systems, sweat response, and overall heat tolerance have not had the chance to gradually adjust to high temperatures the way they do over the course of a normal spring and summer warm-up.
When 90-degree heat arrives suddenly in February, your body responds as if it's facing temperatures much higher than 90 degrees. Heat-related illness can set in faster, at lower temperatures, and with less warning than it would in August when your body has had months to adapt. This is especially true for vulnerable populations including the elderly, young children, people with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, and people without access to air conditioning.
Health officials across the region are urging everyone to take this heat wave seriously and not dismiss it because the numbers might seem "only" in the 80s or low 90s. In February, those temperatures carry outsized risk.
🚧 OUTDOOR WORKERS: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND STAY SAFE
This heat wave poses a severe and immediate danger to the hundreds of thousands of people who work outdoors across Southern California. Our Latino community is disproportionately represented in the industries most exposed to extreme heat — construction, landscaping, agriculture, warehouse work, delivery driving, street vending, and day labor — and it is absolutely essential that every outdoor worker knows their rights and takes steps to protect themselves and their coworkers.
California law requires employers to provide shade, water, and rest when temperatures exceed 80°F. This is not optional. This is not a suggestion. It is the law under California's Heat Illness Prevention Standard, one of the strongest worker heat protection laws in the country. Specifically, employers must:
• Provide fresh, cool drinking water — at least one quart per employee per hour — free of charge and located as close to the work area as possible.
• Provide access to shade that can accommodate all employees on rest breaks. The shade must be open to the air or have ventilation, and it must be located as close to the work area as practical.
• Allow and encourage employees to take preventative cool-down rest breaks of at least 5 minutes in the shade whenever they feel the need to do so. Employees cannot be disciplined or retaliated against for taking cool-down breaks.
• When temperatures reach 95°F or above ("high heat" procedures), employers must ensure employees are observed for signs of heat illness, implement a buddy system, and hold pre-shift meetings about heat safety.
If your employer is not providing shade, water, or rest breaks, you can file a confidential complaint with Cal/OSHA at (833) 579-0927. You do NOT need to give your name. You do NOT need to have papers. Cal/OSHA investigates complaints regardless of immigration status, and it is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for filing a complaint or reporting unsafe conditions. Say it again: it is illegal for them to fire you, cut your hours, or punish you in any way for asserting your right to a safe workplace.
Tips for outdoor workers during this heat wave
• Drink water BEFORE you feel thirsty. By the time you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Aim for at least one cup every 15-20 minutes.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. A wide-brimmed hat is essential.
• Take breaks in shade frequently, even if you feel fine. Heat illness can come on suddenly.
• Watch out for your coworkers. If someone looks confused, dizzy, or stops sweating, get them to shade immediately and call 911.
• Avoid energy drinks, excessive caffeine, and alcohol, which can worsen dehydration.
• If you're a day laborer or jornalero, don't let anyone pressure you to skip water or break time. Your life is worth more than any job.
👴👵 ELDERLY RESIDENTS: CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS
Older adults are among the most vulnerable to heat-related illness, and this unexpected February heat wave makes the risk even greater. Many seniors may not have turned on their air conditioning in months, may not realize how hot it has gotten, or may be reluctant to run their AC due to concerns about electricity costs.
If you have elderly neighbors, parents, grandparents, or friends, please take a few minutes to check on them — ideally in person or by phone. Make sure they have working air conditioning, adequate water, and are not showing signs of heat-related distress. Many seniors take medications that impair the body's ability to regulate temperature, including diuretics (water pills), beta-blockers, antihistamines, and some psychiatric medications. If a senior in your life takes any of these, they may need to take extra precautions.
Cooling centers are open across the region for anyone who needs a cool place to spend the hottest hours of the day. Call 211 (dial 2-1-1 on any phone) to find the nearest cooling center. You can also visit any public library, shopping mall, or community center to escape the heat. In LA County, visit lacounty.gov/heat for a map of cooling centers and heat resources.
👶 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Children are especially susceptible to heat illness because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults. Their smaller body mass, higher metabolic rate, and less efficient sweating make them vulnerable even at temperatures that adults might tolerate.
NEVER leave a child unattended in a parked car — not even for one minute. On a 90-degree day, the interior of a car can reach 120°F in just 10 minutes and 140°F within 30 minutes. A child's core body temperature rises much faster than an adult's, and heatstroke can be fatal in as little as 15 minutes. Every year, children die in hot cars in Southern California. If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 immediately. California's Good Samaritan law protects you if you break a window to rescue a child in danger.
Other tips for families
• Schedule outdoor play for early morning (before 10 AM) or late afternoon/evening (after 5 PM) when temperatures are more tolerable.
• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours.
• Dress children in lightweight, breathable clothing and hats.
• Make water and hydration fun — freeze fruit pops, add fruit slices to water, set up a sprinkler for play.
• Watch for signs of heat illness: flushed face, excessive sweating followed by no sweating, complaints of headache, nausea, or dizziness.
• If your child's school does not have air conditioning, check with the school about modified recess schedules and indoor activity plans.
🐾 PETS AND ANIMALS
Our four-legged family members are counting on us to keep them safe during this heat wave. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and other pets can suffer heat stroke just like humans, and they can't tell us when they're in trouble.
Walk dogs early in the morning or late in the evening ONLY. Midday walks on hot pavement can cause severe burns to your dog's paw pads. Use the 5-second rule: place the back of your hand flat on the pavement. If you can't hold it there comfortably for 5 seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Asphalt can reach 150°F or higher when air temperatures are in the 90s.
• Always provide fresh, cool water and shade for outdoor pets.
• NEVER leave a pet in a parked car. The same deadly temperatures that threaten children will kill a dog in minutes.
• Watch for signs of heat stroke in dogs: excessive panting, drooling, bright red tongue, staggering, vomiting, or collapse. If you see these signs, move the animal to shade, apply cool (not cold) water to their body, and get them to a veterinarian immediately.
• Short-nosed breeds (bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers) and senior dogs are at highest risk.
• If you see a dog chained outside without shade or water in this heat, please report it to your local animal control.
🏥 HEAT EXHAUSTION vs. HEAT STROKE: KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
Understanding the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke could save a life — yours or someone else's.
HEAT EXHAUSTION is the body's warning signal that it is overheating. Symptoms include:
• Heavy sweating
• Cool, pale, clammy skin
• Weakness and fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Fast, weak pulse
• Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
What to do: Move to a cool, shaded, or air-conditioned space. Remove excess clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths to the skin or take a cool shower. Sip water slowly. Rest. If symptoms don't improve within 30 minutes, or if the person vomits, seek medical attention.
HEAT STROKE is a life-threatening medical emergency. It occurs when the body's temperature regulation system fails completely and core temperature rises above 104°F. Symptoms include:
• High body temperature (104°F or higher)
• Hot, RED, DRY skin (the person may have STOPPED sweating — this is a critical danger sign)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, or bizarre behavior
• Loss of consciousness or seizures
• Throbbing headache
🚨 CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY FOR HEAT STROKE. This is not something you can treat at home. 🚨
While waiting for paramedics: Move the person to shade or indoors. Cool them rapidly by any means available — cold water immersion is best if possible, or apply ice packs to the neck, armpits, and groin. Fan them aggressively. Do NOT give them fluids to drink if they are confused or unconscious, as they could choke.
The key difference to remember: Heat exhaustion = still sweating, skin is cool and clammy. Heat stroke = stopped sweating, skin is hot and dry. Heat stroke = call 911 NOW.
❄️ COOLING CENTERS AND RESOURCES
If you don't have air conditioning at home, or if your AC can't keep up with the heat, there are free cooling centers open across Southern California where you can sit in air-conditioned comfort at no cost. These are especially important for seniors, families with young children, people experiencing homelessness, and anyone without reliable cooling at home.
To find the nearest cooling center, call 211. Simply dial 2-1-1 from any phone — landline or cell, no area code needed. The 211 service is available 24/7, is free, and has operators who speak English, Spanish, and many other languages. They can also connect you with other heat-related resources including utility assistance programs if you're worried about your electric bill.
Other cool places open to the public
• Public libraries — Every public library in LA County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County is air-conditioned and free to visit. You don't need a library card to walk in and cool off.
• Shopping malls — Major malls throughout the region are air-conditioned and open during business hours.
• Community and recreation centers — Many cities operate air-conditioned recreation centers that welcome walk-ins during heat events.
• Senior centers — If you're 60 or older, your local senior center likely has extended hours during heat waves.
For LA County specifically, visit lacounty.gov/heat for a comprehensive, interactive map of cooling centers, hydration stations, and heat safety information. For Orange County, contact the OC Health Care Agency at (714) 834-8180 for heat-related resources and health guidance.
📅 WHEN DOES THIS END?
The good news is that relief is on the way. Weather models are in strong agreement that the high-pressure ridge will finally begin to weaken and shift eastward starting Saturday, March 1. Onshore flow will return, bringing the marine layer back to the coast and gradually pushing temperatures down.
By Sunday, March 1, coastal and valley temperatures should drop 10 to 15 degrees from their peak. By Monday and Tuesday of next week (March 2-3), the NWS is forecasting a return to near-normal temperatures across the region — that means upper 60s to low 70s for most of the LA basin, which will feel downright chilly after what we've been through.
There's even a chance of some light rainfall by the middle of the first week of March as the weather pattern transitions to a more typical late-winter setup. After the bone-dry conditions of the past week, even a small amount of rain would be welcome.
🌻 SILVER LINING: COULD THIS FUEL A SUPERBLOOM?
While this heat wave is dangerous and disruptive, there may be a beautiful silver lining. Southern California received above-average rainfall earlier this winter, and the combination of abundant moisture already in the soil plus this burst of unseasonable warmth could accelerate wildflower germination across the region's hillsides, deserts, and open spaces.
Botanists and wildflower enthusiasts are already noting early signs of what could be a spectacular spring superbloom in places like the Antelope Valley, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the Carrizo Plain, and the hillsides of the Santa Monica Mountains. The warm temperatures are essentially giving wildflower seeds an early wake-up call, and if follow-up rains arrive in March, we could be looking at one of the most impressive wildflower displays in years.
Keep your eyes on the hillsides in the coming weeks — nature's response to this heat wave could end up being something truly beautiful.
📞 EMERGENCY RESOURCES
• 911 — Call for any life-threatening heat emergency, including heat stroke, loss of consciousness, or a child/pet locked in a hot car.
• 211 — Dial 2-1-1 for cooling center locations, utility bill assistance, and social services. Available 24/7 in English, Spanish, and other languages.
• Cal/OSHA — Report unsafe working conditions: (833) 579-0927. Confidential, no immigration status required.
• NWS Los Angeles / Oxnard — Latest forecasts and warnings: weather.gov/lox
• OC Health Care Agency — Heat-related health resources for Orange County: (714) 834-8180
• LA County Public Health — Heat safety information and cooling center map: lacounty.gov/heat
• Poison Control — (800) 222-1222 for heat-related medication questions.
Stay safe, SoCal. Drink water. Check on your neighbors. Protect your workers. Hug your pets in the shade. This heat will pass, but let's make sure everyone gets through it safely.
Sources: National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard, OC Register, Fox 11 LA, Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Program, LA County Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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