From the 29th through the 31st, strong high pressure built over the southwest United States. With this pattern, above normal temperatures developed across the mountains and valleys of Southern California.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LOX wrote it up.
From the 29th through the 31st, strong high pressure built over the southwest United States. With this pattern, above normal temperatures developed across the mountains and valleys of Southern California. An influx of monsoonal moisture from northern Mexico increased the relative humidity across the area. The combination of very hot temperatures and increased relative humidity produce heat index values between 105 and 112 degrees. The excessive heat resulted in numerous heat-related injuries and deaths. The heat wave extended into the first few days of September.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Los Angeles, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 29, 8:45 PM PST, 3 hours 15 minutes earlier.
SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA 945 PM PDT WED AUG 29 2007 .SHORT TERM (TONIGHT-SAT)...MID LEVEL MOISTURE CONTINUES TO MOVE INTO THE FORECAST AREA FROM THE S AND SE. THIS MOISTURE IS MOVING IN ON THE SW PERIPHERY OF A LARGE UPPER LEVEL HI CENTERED OVER AZ THIS EVENING. A FEW ELEVATED SHOWERS WERE MOVING THRU SBA COUNTY AS SHOWN ON RADAR. A RECENT SPOTTER REPORTED LIGHTNING OVER THE SLO COUNTY COAST. PERHAPS A FEW SPRINKLES WERE REACHING THE GROUND BUT THAT IS PROBABLY ABOUT IT. WILL UPDATE THE ZONES AGAIN BY 10 PM TO ADD ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT TO PORTIONS OF SLO/SBA COUNTIES. EARLIER THIS EVENING A THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPED AND MOVED OVER THE EXTREME EASTERN AND NORTHEASTERN ANTELOPE VALLEY. A SPOTTER REPORTED NOT MUCH RAIN REACHING THE GROUND WITH THIS STORM. SOME FOG AND LOW CLOUDS WERE MOVING INLAND SOME ALONG THE CENTRAL COAST...AND PATCHY DENSE FOG WILL BE POSSIBLE THERE OVERNIGHT. THE EXPECTED SUNDOWNER DID NOT DEVELOP YET ON THE SBA S COAST ALTHO TEMPS IN SOME AREAS WERE STILL RATHER HOT...WITH 91 DEGREES AT MONTECITO HILLS SHORTLY AFTER 8 PM. THE LARGE UPPER HIGH IS FORECAST TO SLOWLY EXPAND W AND INTO SRN CA THRU SAT. ADDITIONAL MID LEVEL MOISTURE SHOULD MOVE IN AS WELL. INSTABILITY IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE THAT GREAT...BUT MORE ALTOCU OVER THE REGION AND AFTERNOON CU BUILDUPS OVER THE MTNS CANNOT BE RULED OUT. THE BIG WEATHER STORY THOUGH WILL BE THE HIGH HEAT OVER INLAND AREAS SUCH AS THE INTERIOR VALLEYS...FOOTHILLS...LOWER MOUNTAIN ELEVATIONS AND THE ANTELOPE VALLEY. IT LOOKS LIKE TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT WILL OCCUR OVER MANY OF THESE AREAS EACH AFTERNOON THRU SAT. THE COOLEST AREAS WILL BE ALONG THE COAST WITH HIGHS GENERALLY IN THE 70S TO LOWER 80S. PLEASE SEE THE SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT (LAXSPSLOX) FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON THE HEAT...WHICH IS EXPECTED TO PERSIST THRU THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND. ...FROM PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... .LONG TERM (SUN-WED)...NOT MUCH CHANGE SUNDAY AND MONDAY, THOUGH A SLIGHT ONSHORE TREND WILL LIKELY LEAD TO A DEGREE OR TWO OF COOLING AT LOWER ELEVATIONS. STILL VERY HOT WITH HIGHS WELL ABOVE 100 INLAND. BY TUESDAY AND ESPECIALLY WED THE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE IS EXPECTED TO WEAKEN, BRINGING SEVERAL DEGREES OF COOLING TO ALL AREAS. && .AVIATION...30/0430Z SOUTH OF POINT CONCEPTION...LOOK FOR A FEW COASTAL CLOUDS NEAR SBA AND OXR DEVELOPING OVERNIGHT. BUT KEPT THESE TAFS VFR EXCEPT FOR LATE NIGHT MVFR VSBYS DUE TO MIST. ALONG THE CENTRAL COAST...LOW CLOUDS AND FOG WILL BRING LIFR CONDITIONS TO BOTH SBP AND SMX. WITH THE EXPECTED SHALLOWER MARINE LAYER...LIFTED THESE CLOUDS A BIT QUICKER THURSDAY AM COMPARED TO THIS MORNING. ONCE ANY MVFR VSBYS IMPROVE ON THU...VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED IN ALL AREAS THRU THE AFTERNOON. ALL INLAND AREAS WILL BE VFR TONIGHT THRU THU. KLAX...GOOD CONFIDENCE IN VFR CONDITIONS THROUGH THURSDAY. TYPICAL SEA BREEZE EXPECTED IN THE AFTERNOON. KBUR...EXCELLENT CONFIDENCE IN VFR CONDITIONS THRU THU AND NORMAL AFTERNOON SEA BREEZE. .LOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY (SEE LAXCWFLOX). SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT (SEE LAXSPSLOX). && PUBLIC...SIRARD/WOFFORD AVIATION...SIRARD WWW.WEATHER.GOV/LOSANGELES
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
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA 900 PM PDT WED AUG 29 2007 CAZ034>041-044>047-051>054-059-087-088-301300- ANTELOPE VALLEY-CATALINA ISLAND-CUYAMA VALLEY- LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST INCLUDING DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES- LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE- LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY CENTRAL COAST- SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS- SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-SANTA BARBARA COUNTY CENTRAL COAST- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SOUTH COAST- SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA- SANTA YNEZ VALLEY-VENTURA COUNTY COAST-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS- 900 PM PDT WED AUG 29 2007 ...VERY HOT TEMPERATURES EXPECTED ACROSS SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA THROUGH THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND... AN UPPER LEVEL HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM CENTERED OVER ARIZONA WILL STRENGTHEN AND BUILD WESTWARD OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH THURSDAY. THIS IN COMBINATION WITH WEAK ONSHORE FLOW WILL BRING AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF VERY HOT WEATHER TO MANY PORTIONS OF SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA THAT WILL LIKELY LAST THROUGH THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. THE MOUNTAINS...DESERTS...AND INTERIOR VALLEYS ARE EXPECTED TO EXPERIENCE ONLY MINOR VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURES THROUGH THE WEEKEND. EVEN SO...IT LOOKS LIKE SATURDAY WILL BE THE HOTTEST DAY DURING THE PERIOD. OVERALL...MANY OF THE WARMEST INLAND AREAS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT EACH AFTERNOON. AREAS ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST WILL HAVE A REPRIEVE FROM THE HEAT DURING THE PERIOD WITH HIGHS GENERALLY IN THE 70S TO LOWER 80S. THE WARMING AIR MASS WILL ALSO BRING A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN MINIMUM TEMPERATURES DURING THE NEXT FEW NIGHTS...WITH SOME FOOTHILL AND MOUNTAIN LOCATIONS REMAINING IN THE 70S. IF YOU PLAN TO ENJOY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK AND THROUGH THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND...BE PREPARED FOR VERY HOT WEATHER...EVEN IN THE MOUNTAINS. TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE HEAT. REDUCE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IF POSSIBLE...AT LEAST FROM LATE MORNING THROUGH EARLY EVENING. WEAR LOOSE FITTING LIGHT WEIGHT CLOTHING AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SHADE AND AIR CONDITIONING IF AVAILABLE. NEVER...EVER LEAVE CHILDREN...THE ELDERLY OR PETS IN ENCLOSED AUTOMOBILES...EVEN FOR THE SHORTEST TIME. TEMPERATURES QUICKLY RISE TO LIFE-THREATENING LEVELS...EVEN IF THE WINDOWS ARE PARTIALLY OPENED. SIRARD WWW.WEATHER.GOV/LOSANGELES
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
7 excessive heat. Local standard time, as filed.
The combination of above normal temperatures and relative humidity produced excessive heat across the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys with heat index values between 105 and 112 reported.
The combination of above normal temperatures and relative humidity produced excessive heat across the Santa Clarita Valley with heat index values between 105 and 112 reported.
The combination of above normal temperatures and relative humidity produced excessive heat across the Santa Monica Mountains with heat index values between 105 and 112 reported.
The combination of above normal temperatures and relative humidity produced excessive heat across the mountains of Los Angeles county with heat index values between 105 and 112 reported.
The combination of above normal temperatures and relative humidity produced excessive heat across the mountains of Ventura county. Heat index values between 105 and 112 degrees were reported.
The combination of above normal temperatures and relative humidity produced excessive heat across the interior valleys of Ventura county. Heat index values between 105 and 112 degrees were reported.
The combination of above normal temperatures and relative humidity produced excessive heat across the coastal valleys of Ventura county. Heat index values between 105 and 112 degrees were reported.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2007Every state in 2007This day in weather historyWarnings in California, August 2007
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 52569, 52570, 52572, 52574, 52576, 52578, 52579.