Sunset (Photo – Dawn Toomey).
Southern California sweltered under unseasonably hot and dry conditions today, with two locations breaking or tying long-standing temperature records, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Los Angeles.
By News Desk
Downtown Los Angeles soared to a sizzling 97 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 94 degrees set in 1931. Meanwhile, NWS Oxnard reported a high of 95 degrees, tying its record from the same year.
The record-setting heat comes amid ongoing Santa Ana winds and very low humidity—conditions that have prompted the NWS to issue a Red Flag Warning through 6:00 pm Wednesday. The warning covers the western San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains, and southeastern Ventura County valleys, where gusty winds and parched vegetation are driving elevated wildfire danger.
Forecasters are urging residents to exercise caution with outdoor activities that could ignite fires and to stay hydrated and remain indoors during the peak afternoon heat.
“Hot, dry, and windy conditions like these can turn a small spark into a fast-moving wildfire in minutes,” the NWS warned in its afternoon update.
Temperatures are expected to gradually cool later in the week as offshore winds weaken and a marine layer returns to coastal areas.
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