LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach set a new heat record Wednesday, but the mercury hardly tells the full story thanks to unusual humidity that made already extreme temperatures feel even hotter.
Extreme heat and oppressive humidity will continue across much of Southern California Thursday, with forecasters expecting some cooling Friday as well as relief from the humidity ushered in by former Hurricane Marie.
Long Beach reached 107 degrees Wednesday, breaking the record for the date of 103 set in 2015, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature, recorded at Long Beach Airport, was 23 degrees above the normal high of 84 degrees for the date.
An extreme heat warning will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for Long Beach and much of Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service.
"Humidity will still remain elevated on Thursday, resulting in continued significant heat issues," according to the NWS.
The NWS said it will keep the extreme heat warnings in effect through Thursday evening because "even with the cooling, many areas would be well within advisory criteria."
Temperatures Thursday are expected to be anywhere from 4 to 10 degrees cooler than they were Wednesday before falling another 4 to 6 degrees Friday in most places, according to the National Weather Service. After that, the cooldown will be more dramatic, with daytime highs being roughly 15 degrees cooler Sunday than Thursday, according to forecasters.
Long Beach's daytime high is forecast to be 95 degrees Thursday and 81 by Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
The cooldown comes as a high-pressure system weakens and onshore flow increases, while little change is expected across interior areas.
A noticeable cooling trend is expected Friday and Saturday as onshore flow increases, the marine layer begins to return, and high pressure continues to weaken, forecasters said.
By Sunday, a more tranquil weather pattern is expected to settle over Southern California, with temperatures in most areas about 5 to 10 degrees below seasonal averages through Wednesday.
The heat came as Southern California continued recovering from high surf and coastal flooding generated by former Hurricane Marie, which damaged beachfront properties in Long Beach, Dana Point and Malibu earlier this week.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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