Southern California Experiences Record-Breaking High Temperatures Only Days After Severe Winter Storm.
After enduring torrential rains that resulted in floodwaters across areas in the city, Los Angeles is now grappling with unseasonably high temperatures for the end of February.
Record-Shattering Heat
On Friday midday, the temperature reached 91°F (33°C) in downtown Los Angeles, per data from weather officials. This breaks the old record for this date, which was 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) and was established in the previous year.
"Very warm conditions" were highlighted on NWS charts for the region.
Safety Warnings
Authorities issued a warning that Friday's conditions posed an "elevated risk for heat illness" for those at risk. Their guidance included:
- Keeping well-hydrated.
- Limiting outdoor activities during the afternoon hours of the day.
- Not leaving children or pets unattended in a car.
An Extreme Shift
This sudden spike in temperature comes on the heels of a massive winter storm that battered the area earlier in the week. That storm brought heavy snow, strong winds, and thunderstorms to mountainous regions, causing flash flood warnings for countless residents.
Sadly, the storm also triggered a large avalanche in the Tahoe area, which claimed the lives of.
Forecast Ahead
Looking ahead a cooldown is expected. Readings were forecast to fall to around 16 degrees Celsius (61 Fahrenheit) in central Los Angeles by Friday night.
Other locales that hit ninety degrees featured Woodland Hills, Long Beach, and Burbank. Additionally, Oxnard, Westwood, Camarillo, and Santa Maria were expected to reach the upper eighties.
Over Saturday and Sunday, central LA can anticipate temperatures in the 80s, with mid-70s temperatures on tap for the following week.
