Sylvie Belmond 
What feels unseasonably warm right now may just be a preview.
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — The conversation around Simi Valley this week is sounding surprisingly similar.
Is it just me, or is it really hot for March?
And if that warm afternoon has anyone in your household debating whether it is finally time to flip on the AC, you are probably not alone in that either.
In Southern California, there is no clean seasonal line between heating weather and cooling weather. One week you are running the heater at night, and the next you are eyeing the thermostat and wondering if the electric bill is worth it. For many Simi Valley households, that mental calculation is already underway.
It may also be worth taking seriously. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac forecast for the Los Angeles region, this summer will be hotter and drier than normal, with the hottest periods landing in early and late June and mid to late August. If that holds, what feels unseasonably warm right now may just be a preview.
And in some cases, that preview is already prompting a response. With high temperatures expected over the next several days, the City of Simi Valley is opening air-conditioned cooling centers to help residents stay safe and comfortable.
The Simi Valley Senior Center on Avenida Simi will operate as an official cooling center on Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with Simi Valley Transit extending service until 8 p.m. both days to help people get there, including those needing ADA-accessible transportation. The Simi Valley Public Library on Tapo Canyon Road will also serve as a cooling option during its regular hours.
City officials are encouraging those more vulnerable to heat, including older adults, people with health conditions, or anyone dealing with a temporary power outage, to take advantage of these spaces. It is also a reminder to check in on neighbors, stay hydrated and avoid the hottest parts of the day, even if it still feels early in the season to be thinking that way.
And previews have a way of sneaking up on you. The problem with Southern California heat is that it does not ease you in. One week the mornings are cool and the next the house does not fully cool down overnight. By the time most people think to call their HVAC technician, so has everyone else in the zip code.
That is why a warm stretch in March is actually useful. It is early enough to act before the rush. A few things worth doing now while you still have time on your side:
Replace your filters. A clogged filter makes your system work harder and drives up your bill. If you cannot remember when you last changed it, it is probably time.
Check your ceiling fans. They should run counterclockwise in summer to push cool air down. A small adjustment that makes a real difference.
Think about your windows. Blackout curtains or cellular shades on west and south facing windows can keep afternoon heat from turning your living room into a slow cooker.
And if you have not had your AC serviced in a while, now is the time. Most HVAC companies get slammed by late May and appointments can run weeks out.
So if the house already feels like July, maybe take that as a cue. Summer is not officially here yet, but according to the Almanac, it is coming in hot.
