Southern California Experiences Unprecedented Heat Only One Week Following Major Winter Storm.
Following a week of heavy downpours that resulted in floodwaters across sections of the city, LA is now grappling with unusually hot temperatures for late February.
All-Time High Heat
During the day Friday, the thermometer climbed to ninety-one degrees Fahrenheit in central LA, as reported by the National Weather Service. This exceeds the old record for this date, which was 88°F (31°C) and was set just last year.
"Unusually high temperatures" were noted on forecast maps for the region.
Safety Alerts
Forecasters issued a warning that Friday's conditions posed an "higher threat for heat illness" for vulnerable populations. Their recommendations featured:
- Keeping well-hydrated.
- Reducing outdoor activities during the peak heat of the day.
- Ensuring you do not leave children or pets unattended in a hot car.
An Extreme Reversal
This sharp rise in temperature comes on the heels of a intense storm system that battered the state earlier in the week. That system unleashed heavy snow, strong winds, and thunderstorms to the mountains, causing flash flood warnings for millions residents.
Tragically, the storm also resulted in a large avalanche in the Tahoe area, which left nine people dead from.
Temperatures Easing
Looking ahead some relief is expected. The heat were forecast to decrease to around 16 degrees Celsius (61 Fahrenheit) in downtown LA by overnight.
Other locales that experienced the 90-degree mark included Long Beach, Burbank, and Woodland Hills. Meanwhile, Santa Maria, Oxnard, Camarillo, and Westwood were expected to experience the upper eighties.
For the weekend, downtown Los Angeles can expect temperatures in the eighties, with a further cooldown on tap for the start of March.
