Dangerous tropical humidity blasts California as heat wave pushes temps to extreme high

A merciless end-of-summer heatwave is turning California into a giant air fryer — with Southern California feeling more like South Florida by the day.

Record-breaking temperatures and tropical humidity are combining to create a brutal blast that is expected to peak Wednesday, with temperatures soaring into the triple digits inland and oppressive moisture making it feel even worse.

“These are some of the highest humidities we’ve ever experienced in coastal Southern California,” UC climate scientist Daniel Swain told the LA Times. “There’s already some evidence that this summer has been, at least at some locations in Southern California, the most humid summer on record.”

Maximum temperatures climbed into the mid- to upper 80s at the beaches, the 90s across the rest of the coast and between 100 and 108 degrees in the valleys, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

And the humidity is anything but normal.

“Dew points were 76% yesterday in many areas. That’s the equivalent of a tropical forest. That’s even higher than what we would typically see on a humid day in Florida,” said KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo.

The NWS classifies a dew point of 55 or below as “dry and comfortable,” while anything at or above 65 is considered “oppressive.”

An extreme heat warning has been issued across the region through Thursday, including the Malibu Coast, Los Angeles County Beaches, Catalina and the San Gabriel Valley.

The bizarre weather is being fueled by lingering moisture from Hurricane Marie combined with a high-pressure ridge that has formed over the region.

Marie already battered Southern California over Labor Day weekend, bringing massive waves and flooding.

Northern California isn’t escaping the heat, either.

A heat advisory was also issued for the Bay Area as temperatures reached nearly 100 degrees for parts of the region. San Jose is forecasted to reach 96 degrees while Fairfield is expected to hit 103 degrees.

Health officials are urging residents to drink plenty of water, take frequent breaks and seek out air-conditioned spaces to escape the punishing conditions.

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