# Southern California Heat Wave Sets New Records
On August 24, 2026, the high temperature in downtown Los Angeles reached 98°F, surpassing the 1931 record of 96°F. Long Beach Airport also reached 97°F, breaking the 2010 record of 95°F. The LA Times reported that temperatures in coastal and valley areas on August 26 were 10–15°F above normal, with valley areas expected to exceed 100°F.
The NWS Los Angeles office said on August 26 that very hot conditions and a high risk of heat-related illness were continuing, with excessive heat warnings and advisories remaining in effect through the evening of August 28.
The key point is that weather-related uncertainty did not end after the record-breaking heat continued.
Remnants of Iselle: Humidity and Shower Potential Rather Than Heavy Rain
According to the NHC, Iselle weakened from a tropical storm into a post-tropical remnant low as of 03:00 UTC on August 27, with gradual dissipation expected afterward. However, the NWS explained that moisture from Iselle’s remnants could move into California from the night of August 26 through August 28.
The shower potential was estimated at 15–20% depending on the area, with a 5–10% chance of strong showers or thunderstorms. Most areas were expected to receive little precipitation, but some strong showers or thunderstorms were assessed as a low-probability, high-impact scenario. Therefore, it would be difficult to interpret Iselle’s remnants as a widespread heavy-rain or landfall event across Southern California.
September Outlook Remains at the Possibility Stage
Weather West placed the probability at 5–20% that a weakened tropical storm or tropical depression could move north toward California in early September in several forecast ensembles. This is not an official warning, but a low-probability situation worth monitoring.
Reports also indicated increased mosquito activity in San Diego County as high heat, high humidity, and high tides coincided. However, this was a local case centered on San Diego and cannot be generalized to all of Southern California.
Verification Criteria
- Records broken: 98°F in downtown Los Angeles and 97°F at Long Beach Airport
- Heat risk: The NWS announced that warnings and advisories would remain in effect through the evening of August 28
- Iselle’s remnants: Weakened into a post-tropical remnant low as of August 27
- September outlook: A low 5–20% probability of tropical remnants
This information is based on announcements and reports published on August 26–27, 2026. NWS warnings and forecasts concerning tropical moisture may change, so the latest updates should be checked again before publication.
Sources: [Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-08-26/southern-california-heat-wave-peaks-how-hot-will-it-get-when-will-it-end) (checked at 06:12 UTC on August 28, 2026), [NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard](https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=CI&glossary=1&issuedby=LOX&product=AFD&site=ARX&version=4) (checked at 06:12 UTC on August 28, 2026), [National Hurricane Center](https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=TXT&glossary=1&issuedby=EP&product=TWD&site=SEW&version=2) (checked at 06:12 UTC on August 28, 2026), [Weather West](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43983) (checked at 06:12 UTC on August 28, 2026), [Axios San Diego](https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/08/18/san-diego-mosquito-boom-aedes-hot-humid-weather-high-tides) (checked at 06:12 UTC on August 28, 2026).