Southern California Battles Record-Breaking High Temperatures Only Days After Severe Winter Weather.
In the wake of heavy downpours that caused flooding across sections of the city, LA is now grappling with abnormally hot conditions for this time of year.
Record-Shattering Temperatures
On Friday midday, the mercury soared to ninety-one degrees Fahrenheit in central LA, per data from the National Weather Service. This easily surpasses the old record for February 27th, which was 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) and was set just last year.
"Unusually high temperatures" were noted on NWS maps for the region.
Safety Alerts
Authorities cautioned that Friday's weather posed an "elevated risk for heat illness" for those at risk. Their recommendations featured:
- Drinking plenty of fluids.
- Limiting outdoor activities during the afternoon hours of the day.
- Never leaving kids or animals unattended in a car.
A Dramatic Weather Swing
This dramatic increase in temperature comes on the heels of a massive storm system that pummeled the area last week. That event brought heavy snow, strong winds, and thunderstorms to the mountains, leading to evacuation orders for many residents.
Tragically, the storm also resulted in a deadly avalanche in the Lake Tahoe area, which left nine people dead from.
Forecast Ahead
Forecasters predict some relief is expected. Readings were predicted to decrease to around 61°F (16°C) in the city by overnight.
Additional areas that reached the 90-degree mark were Burbank, Woodland Hills, and Long Beach. Additionally, Santa Maria, Oxnard, Camarillo, and Westwood were projected to experience the high 80s.
For the weekend, downtown LA can see weather in the 80s, with cooler weather likely for the following week.
