Southern California braces for lengthy October heatwave starting Friday

Southern California is bracing for a record-long October heatwave starting from Friday, October 2, 2026, and will last throughout next week.

According to the National Weather Service forecast, an extreme heat forecast is to roast Southern California starting Friday morning and remain in place through October 8, 2026.

The forecaster has also predicted that it is likely that the heatwave could extend into the second week of October.

Although the rising temperatures in October are not unusual, the length of this heatwave is “exceptional” for any time of the year, with the potential to last up to two weeks, said Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Weather experts have also warned of a high-pressure system strengthening over the next few days and settling in by the weekend.

Though Southern California is now into the region’s Santa Ana season, this heatwave is not a Santa Ana event, which typically lasts a day or two, Wofford said.

The heat could result in grasses drying out significantly, but there isn’t much wind expected during the heat wave, he said.

While temperatures in Los Angeles are expected to reach triple digits, with up to 105 degrees, and stay around 90 degrees on the coast, NWS has forecast.

Some regions of Orange County will see the highest temperatures, especially Saturday and Sunday, as temperatures climb into the 90s and approach 100.

The Inland Empire will be one of the hottest areas starting Friday, with temperatures that could reach 100 to 105 degrees across most of the region and last through next week.