Santa Clarita summers run hot, and moving days here regularly hit triple digits from July through September. The heat is manageable with a little planning. The two things it affects most are the people doing the lifting and the items that do not like being cooked in a closed truck.
Beat the heat with timing
- Start early. A morning start beats the worst afternoon heat, especially for the loading.
- Avoid a mid-afternoon load if you can, when both the driveway and the truck are hottest.
- Book earlier in the season if your date is flexible, since summer weekends fill up fast.
Keep everyone safe
- Have cold water and a shaded break spot ready for the crew and yourself.
- Prop doors and keep a path clear so no one is fighting the heat and clutter at once.
- Watch kids and pets closely, and keep them somewhere cool and out of the traffic path.
- Take breaks. A short rest beats a heat-related problem that stops the whole move.
Protect heat-sensitive items
A closed moving truck can get much hotter than the air outside. A few things do not handle that well:
- Candles, crayons, and cosmetics can melt.
- Electronics and vinyl records can warp in extreme heat.
- Houseplants rarely survive a hot enclosed truck.
- Load these last and unload them first, or carry them in your own car.
Common mistakes
- Scheduling the load for the hottest part of the afternoon.
- Leaving electronics and candles in the truck all day.
- Running out of water halfway through.
- Leaving the front door wide open for hours while the AC runs.
When to hire movers
Moving heavy furniture in triple-digit heat is where a lot of DIY moves go sideways. A crew that starts early and works efficiently gets you loaded before the worst of the day. See everything we offer on our moving services page and we will plan your move around the forecast.
Estimated time
In summer, build in extra time for breaks and a cooler start. An early morning load is worth the alarm clock.
Local note: The SCV is regularly 10 to 15 degrees hotter than the coast in summer, so what looks like a mild day at the beach can be a scorcher in Valencia or Canyon Country. Check the local forecast, not the LA one.