Looking at the weather in LA all last week, I really thought, "Is this really March weather?"

When I drove out, the temperature on the dashboard exceeded 100 degrees, which is surprising since it's not summer but the beginning of spring.

There have been hot days before, but I've honestly never seen records being broken so openly like this.

Having lived in LA for a long time, I feel that the current weather is not just "hot" but that there is a significant change in the climate system happening.

This heat wave is not just a random hot day; there are ongoing discussions about it being a structural change.

The main cause is, of course, global warming. I've heard a lot about it, but feeling it so directly makes it more real.

With temperatures rising much higher than average and breaking past records, when I hear that it has surpassed the record from 1997, I think, "Oh, the standard itself has changed."

Additionally, a high-pressure system has settled in. What this means is that hot air cannot escape upwards and continues to linger near the ground. In simple terms, it's like having a lid on and trapping the heat inside.

With little wind and stagnant air, the temperature rises even more. It feels like the air itself has been heated, not just the sunlight.

The problem is that this kind of weather feels even more intense in urban areas. This is especially true in places like Koreatown in LA. There are many buildings and asphalt, and there is a lack of trees or shade. This is the urban heat island effect, where the heat accumulated during the day does not dissipate at night.

As a result, it doesn't cool down at night. In the past, it was bearable after sunset, but these days, there are many nights where it's hard to endure without air conditioning.

It's also important to note that this is not just a matter of being "hot." The risk of heat-related illnesses actually increases significantly.

People working outdoors, the elderly, and children are at much greater risk. If you don't drink enough water, you can quickly become dehydrated and dizzy, and in severe cases, it can lead to a hospital visit. What used to be a concern only in summer now needs to be considered starting in spring.

Fortunately, there are forecasts that this heat wave will not continue indefinitely.

The National Weather Service says this weekend will be the peak, and temperatures will drop a bit starting next week. Of course, when they say "a bit," it doesn't mean it will be cool like before. It seems more realistic to say that this level of heat is likely to repeat in the future.

What I'm feeling these days is that we shouldn't think of the weather based on past standards.

LA has always been known as a city with good weather, but the definition of "good" is changing. It's becoming a city where sometimes it's so hot that we have to change our living patterns.

So these days, the basics are really important. Drink water often, and don't overexert yourself during the day... It may seem trivial, but this is a wise way to protect your health. Sunglasses and hats, which used to be worn for style, now feel like essential survival gear.

I honestly didn't expect to have so many stressful days due to the weather while living in LA. Too little rain, too much rain, too cold, too hot. But it seems that this is not just a temporary situation but a trend that will continue in the future, which is more concerning.

In the end, we have to adapt, but that's not easy.