Record highs set in downtown L.A., Long Beach, Woodland Hills
A Christmas week heat wave continued Friday as record highs were set across Southern California.
The temperature hit 85 degrees in downtown Los Angeles, topping the previous high of 83 set in 1897, 1919 and 1947, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service.
A record was also set in Long Beach, where a high of 84 degrees broke 1972’s mark of 78. In Woodland Hills, the high of 85 beat a previous record of 80 degrees.
Burbank’s high of 84 degrees tied the record set in 1956, and a high of 83 at UCLA also matched a previous record.
High pressure and offshore winds have created an unusually dry and warm air mass, said Bonnie Bartling of the National Weather Service. Temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees lower on Saturday, with Santa Ana winds expected to begin Saturday night.
A wind advisory will be in effect for the Los Angeles and Ventura County coasts for most of the day Sunday. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph are expected along the coast, with gusts of 50 to 60 mph in the mountains. Drivers should be on alert for strong cross winds, the advisory said.
Because of the strong winds and low humidity, much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties will be under a fire watch from late Saturday night through Sunday evening.
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Twitter: @cindychangLA
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