Southern California Experiences Record-Breaking Heat Only One Week Following Major Winter Weather.
In the wake of torrential rains that led to inundation across parts of the city, LA is now seeing unusually warm weather for the end of February.
Record-Shattering Heat
On Friday midday, the mercury climbed to 33 degrees Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) in downtown Los Angeles, per data from meteorologists. This breaks the prior high for February 27th, which was 88°F (31°C) and was recorded in the previous year.
"Unusually high temperatures" were noted on forecast maps for the region.
Safety Advisories
The weather service cautioned that Friday's conditions posed an "elevated risk for heat illness" for people sensitive to heat. Their guidance featured:
- Keeping well-hydrated.
- Reducing outdoor activities during the peak heat of the day.
- Ensuring you do not leave anyone unattended in a hot car.
An Extreme Weather Swing
This sharp rise in mercury comes on the heels of a powerful winter storm that pummeled the state earlier in the week. That system unleashed high winds, thunderstorms, and significant snowfall to mountainous regions, leading to mudslide risks for millions residents.
Unfortunately, the conditions also triggered a massive avalanche in the Lake Tahoe area, which left nine people dead from.
Weekend Outlook
Forecasters predict cooler conditions is expected. Temperatures were predicted to decrease to around 16 degrees Celsius (61 Fahrenheit) in central Los Angeles by late Friday.
Additional areas that reached the 90-degree mark featured Burbank, Woodland Hills, and Long Beach. Meanwhile, Oxnard, Westwood, Camarillo, and Santa Maria were projected to experience the high 80s.
For the weekend, central LA can expect temperatures in the 80s, with mid-70s temperatures likely for the week ahead.
