Southern California Faces Unprecedented Heat Only One Week After Severe Winter Weather.
Following a week of heavy downpours that caused flooding across areas in the city, LA is now seeing unusually warm temperatures for late February.
All-Time High Heat
On Friday midday, the mercury reached 91°F (33°C) in downtown Los Angeles, per data from meteorologists. This easily surpasses the prior high for this date, which was eighty-eight degrees Fahrenheit and was set in the previous year.
"Exceptionally warm weather" were highlighted on forecast charts for the region.
Safety Warnings
The weather service issued a warning that Friday's weather posed an "higher threat for heat illness" for those at risk. Their advice featured:
- Drinking plenty of fluids.
- Limiting outdoor activities during the afternoon hours of the day.
- Never leaving children or pets unattended in a hot car.
A Sharp Reversal
This sharp rise in heat comes on the heels of a massive winter storm that battered the region recently. That system unleashed high winds, thunderstorms, and significant snowfall to mountainous regions, causing evacuation orders for many residents.
Unfortunately, the severe weather also resulted in a large avalanche in the Lake Tahoe area, which resulted in nine fatalities.
Weekend Outlook
The outlook suggests some relief will arrive. Readings were forecast to decrease to around 16 degrees Celsius (61 Fahrenheit) in central Los Angeles by Friday night.
Additional areas that experienced 90°F included Woodland Hills, Long Beach, and Burbank. Meanwhile, Oxnard, Westwood, Camarillo, and Santa Maria were forecast to see the high eighties.
In the coming days, downtown LA can anticipate temperatures in the 80s, with cooler weather expected for the week ahead.
