Extreme Heat and Climate Change

Scientists agree that our climate is changing and that humans are responsible. Climate change is more than just warming temperatures. Throughout Los Angeles County, our state, and the world, we're already seeing the impacts of climate change, including severe storms, temperature extremes, and drought. In LA County, hotter, longer heat waves caused by climate change are one of the major threats to the health and wellbeing of our communities.

All across Los Angeles, we're feeling the effects of climate change, like more very hot days and heat waves later in the summer. Scientists predict that climate change will continue to cause even more extreme heat in the future. Coastal areas and central Los Angeles will experience three times more days of temperatures over 95°F, and the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys will have even more extremely hot weather.

This chart developed by UCLA shows predictions for the number of days over 95°F in dark orange (as compared to the current number of days in light orange) if we don't take action to slow climate change:

Days over 95 Degrees annually
Figure 1. UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Center for Climate Science

Read more about the climate science

See what DPH is doing to reduce temperatures in our neighborhoods.