Heat Records Fall Across Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA — It's almost November, but the Southland received a thorough baking Monday as a heat wave sent temperatures soaring to record levels and put fire crews on high alert thanks to elevated wildfire conditions.

Downtown Los Angeles reached a record high for this date of 102 degrees, breaking the mark of 98 set in 1965. Los Angeles International Airport hit 101 degrees, Burbank Airport reached 102 degrees and Long Beach Airport reached 105 -- all breaking records set in 1965.

The temperature reached 100 degrees at UCLA, breaking the record of 98 -- set in 1939. Palmdale Airport hit 92 degrees, tying the record set in 1959, while Sandberg tied the record of 84 degrees set in 1959.

The heat, coupled with low humidity and gusting Santa Ana winds, led to the imposition of a red flag warning, signifying a heightened risk of wildfires. The warning is expected to remain in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday in much of the Southland, with the exception of the Antelope Valley.

"This event is especially concerning because of the multiple-day nature of it, which we have not seen yet this season, and such events have a history of large fires," according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters said winds are expected to peak on Tuesday, with winds of 20 to 30 mph gusting to 50 in wind-prone coastal and valley areas. Meanwhile, humidity will hover around 5 to 10 percent.

"Widespread record-breaking heat will exasperate the situation, with highs between 95 and 105 common and lows between 65 and 75 common," according to the NWS. "Some windy and hilly locations may only drop into the 80s at night."

City News Service; Photo: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer