Southern California faces extreme heat and humidity after Tropical Storm Marie’s coastal damage

Key points

• Temperatures in downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach are expected to reach 96-98 degrees, while inland areas may exceed 105 degrees.
• High surf and life-threatening rip current advisories remain in place until 11 p.m. Tuesday, with waves reaching 12 feet in Malibu.
• Tides are running higher than predicted, reaching 6.7 feet on Sunday and forecast to surge to 7.2 feet by Tuesday.
• The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Wednesday and Thursday, warning that lingering moisture from Marie will increase heat stress.
• Public health officials advise avoiding ocean swimming through Wednesday due to potential bacteria spikes from recent rainfall.

Background

This event follows a record-setting heat wave in late August and the approach of Tropical Storm Marie, which was forecast to bring heavy surf and humidity to Southern California for Labor Day weekend. The current conditions are exacerbated by a marine heat wave and a developing 'super' El Niño, which have raised ocean temperatures and tide levels.

How outlets are covering it

The Los Angeles Times emphasizes the transition from storm-driven flooding to a dangerous heat and humidity phase, highlighting the compounding effect of lingering moisture. CBS News focuses on the immediate physical damage to coastal infrastructure, such as seawalls and the Pacific Coast Highway, and the community response to flooding. ABC News was unavailable for comparison, but the Los Angeles Times notes that ABC-7 reported on power shortages and flooding in Long Beach.

Why it matters

The combination of extreme heat, high humidity, and dangerous ocean conditions poses significant risks to public health and safety. The elevated tides and high surf have caused substantial property damage and infrastructure erosion, while the heat advisory warns of increased heat stress for vulnerable populations.

What to watch

Weather forecasters expect Wednesday to be even warmer than Tuesday, with temperatures potentially jumping if clouds do not materialize. The National Weather Service is on alert to ramp up warnings if conditions worsen. Public health officials recommend waiting 72 hours after rain before swimming in the ocean to avoid bacteria exposure.