Cooler temperatures and clouds from a marine layer can be expected across Orange County over the next few days.
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For the first time since early July, weather service experts say OC residents should experience some cooler temperatures, a welcome relief from the scorching, humid weather that has been lingering over the area.
Maurice Sandoval plays frisbee with his girlfriend, Veronica Rodriguez, on the beach near the pier on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chloe Castillo plays with her daughter, Carmen Castillo, in the water near the pier on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Beachgoers are silhouetted under the pier on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Maurice Sandoval plays frisbee with his girlfriend, Veronica Rodriguez, on the beach near the pier on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
For those living at the coast without air conditioning, Kyle Wheeler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said it will be a good time to crank open the windows — temperatures will be more liveable in the low-70s by day and in the 60s overnight.
“A lot of coastal areas will feel relief,” he said. “Inland, it will be low- to mid-80s, which will be very nice.”
Surf at the beaches isn’t expected to be “remarkable,” with swells mostly in the 2- to 4-foot range.
On Wednesday night, Aug. 12, there is a chance of coastal flooding in especially low-lying areas such as Seal Beach because of anticipated high tides. Areas most vulnerable will be parking lots near the beaches, Wheeler said. That pattern is expected to continue on Thursday and Friday nights because of a high tide reaching about 6.5 feet, he said.
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The cooling trend, expected to last into the weekend, is due to a weak low-pressure system lingering off the coast.
“It’s sort of atypical,” Wheeler said, adding that generally at this time of year weather patterns are dominated by high pressure that usually comes east of this area.
Instead, he added, the air is coming from the southwest over the ocean, as opposed to coming from Mexico or Baja.
The temperatures across the area are expected to begin warming again starting in the middle of next week.
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