LA Faces Historic High Temperatures Only One Week After Severe Winter Storm.
Following a week of heavy downpours that resulted in floodwaters across parts of the city, LA is now grappling with unseasonably warm conditions for late February.
All-Time High Heat
During the day Friday, the mercury climbed to ninety-one degrees Fahrenheit in central LA, as reported by the National Weather Service. This exceeds the prior high for this date, which was 88°F (31°C) and was recorded just last year.
"Unusually high temperatures" were labeled on NWS maps for the region.
Public Health Alerts
Authorities cautioned that Friday's weather posed an "increased danger for heat illness" for vulnerable populations. Their advice suggested:
- Staying hydrated.
- Reducing outdoor activities during the peak heat of the day.
- Not leaving anyone unattended in a hot car.
A Dramatic Reversal
This sudden spike in heat follows closely after a powerful winter storm that pummeled the state last week. That system delivered high winds, thunderstorms, and significant snowfall to the mountains, causing flash flood warnings for countless residents.
Unfortunately, the conditions also triggered a large avalanche in the Lake Tahoe area, which resulted in nine fatalities.
Weekend Outlook
The outlook suggests some relief is coming. The heat were expected to decrease to around 61°F (16°C) in downtown LA by Friday night.
Additional areas that experienced the 90-degree mark were Long Beach, Burbank, and Woodland Hills. Meanwhile, Oxnard, Westwood, Camarillo, and Santa Maria were forecast to reach the high eighties.
Over Saturday and Sunday, central Los Angeles can see temperatures in the eighties, with mid-70s temperatures on tap for the following week.