Southern California residents will experience the typical May gray weather this week, but a transition to warmer temperatures is expected as the marine layer recedes.
Coastal areas will continue to wake up to overcast skies and patchy fog that dissipate by midday, resulting in mild temperatures for the next couple of days.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures along the beaches and in downtown Los Angeles will generally range from the high 60s to high 70s, which is characteristic for this time of year.
Meteorologist Ryan Pittell from the National Weather Service in Oxnard explained, “The cool, moist ocean air that is pretty prevalent in May and June will still be around,” adding that it will remain through the week but will clear out by midday.
He noted that as the marine layer begins to shrink, areas such as Northridge and Chatsworth are likely to experience significant warming, possibly reaching the 90s.
While the coastal regions, downtown Los Angeles, and parts of the San Gabriel Valley will continue to feel the effects of the cool air, a warm-up is anticipated as the week progresses.
Between Wednesday and Thursday, the marine layer will start to transition, leading to above-average temperatures for Thursday and Friday.
For coastal and downtown Los Angeles areas, forecasters predict highs predominantly in the 80s by Friday.
Inland areas, particularly in the Inland Empire, are expected to see temperature spikes ranging from 10 to 15 degrees above the norm, with highs hitting the 90s to 100 degrees, while lower desert areas could experience temperatures between 103 and 109 degrees.
Starting Saturday and extending into the following week, a decline in temperatures is anticipated across Southern California.
Friday is projected to bring significant heat, prompting the potential for a heat advisory or warning for inland and desert regions.
Pittell cautions residents to exercise care as the heat intensifies, stating that even if an official warning is not issued, it is wise to take precautions.
He suggests anyone with outdoor plans on Friday and Saturday should consider rescheduling to earlier in the day.
“Adjusting the scheduled time of the outdoor activity to two hours earlier in the morning could be the difference between life and death,” Pittell emphasized.
The recent tragic death of a 38-year-old man participating in a half marathon in Thousand Oaks serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by sudden heat.
The incident, which occurred on a day when the National Weather Service had issued a heat advisory, left four other marathon participants feeling unwell amid temperatures in the high 90s.
As Pittell pointed out, while the region normally braces for such heat in July and August, these temperatures can be a shock to the system when they occur in May, especially when the body has not had time to acclimate.
Residents are urged to remain cautious and make necessary adjustments to their plans as Southern California transitions from a cool to a hot climate this week.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-05-27/may-gray-persists-but-a-heatwave-could-be-headed-for-socal-by-friday-forecasters-say
