Southern California Faces Unprecedented Heat Just Days After Major Winter Storm.
In the wake of torrential rains that led to inundation across areas in the city, LA is now seeing abnormally high conditions for late February.
All-Time High Temperatures
On Friday midday, the mercury climbed to 91°F (33°C) in the city center, as reported by meteorologists. This exceeds the previous daily record for this date, which was 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) and was set in the previous year.
"Unusually high temperatures" were noted on NWS graphics for the region.
Safety Alerts
Authorities cautioned that Friday's weather posed an "elevated risk for heat illness" for vulnerable populations. Their recommendations suggested:
- Staying hydrated.
- Limiting outdoor activities during the afternoon hours of the day.
- Ensuring you do not leave children or pets unattended in a car.
An Extreme Reversal
This sudden spike in mercury follows closely after a intense storm system that struck the state last week. That system delivered heavy snow, strong winds, and thunderstorms to higher elevations, causing flash flood warnings for countless residents.
Tragically, the severe weather also triggered a massive avalanche in the Lake Tahoe area, which resulted in nine fatalities.
Weekend Outlook
Looking ahead cooler conditions will arrive. Readings were predicted to drop to around 61°F (16°C) in downtown LA by Friday night.
Additional areas that hit the 90-degree mark featured Long Beach, Burbank, and Woodland Hills. Elsewhere, Oxnard, Westwood, Camarillo, and Santa Maria were projected to see the high eighties.
For the weekend, central Los Angeles can anticipate temperatures in the 80s, with a further cooldown likely for the following week.
