L.A.'s 'perfect' Mediterranean weather is a birthright. Why did it disappear this summer?

Key Points:

• Southern California is experiencing unprecedented humidity levels this summer, with dew points reaching up to 76, comparable to typically humid regions like Florida, marking the highest humidity recorded in the area over the past 46 years.
• The extreme humidity is driven by remnants of Hurricane Marie funneling tropical moisture, monsoonal moisture from the southeast, and an extraordinary marine heat wave along the California coast, with ocean temperatures significantly above average.
• These unusual weather conditions break down Southern California's typical dry summer climate, which usually benefits from cool ocean air, protective mountains, and desert breezes that keep humidity low.
• The region faces heightened risks this winter due to a strong El Niño event, including significant coastal flooding, beach erosion, and bluff collapses, exacerbated by elevated sea levels fueled by warming oceans and melting ice sheets.
• Experts warn that the combination of climate change and El Niño will likely cause more severe humid heat events and coastal damage in the coming years, posing serious public health and environmental challenges.