Heat Wave: Temperatures to Soar 20 Degrees Above Normal

A combination of Santa Ana winds and dry weather conditions will make for a hotter-than-usual week leading up to Valentine’s Day, with temperatures expected in the 80s across most of the area.

“It looks like starting Wednesday, temperatures will really jump up,” Stuart Seto, a weather specialist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, told City News Service. “The hottest temperatures will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”

Seto said the temperatures could be near record levels by Valentine’s Day, noting that average temperatures for this time of year are generally around 67 in downtown Los Angeles.

“It’s going to be about 20 degrees higher than normal Friday and Saturday,” he told CNS.

Seto said Santa Ana winds that developed last night will likely redevelop today and continue off and on throughout the week. Dry conditions will also persist through the week thanks to the high-pressure system.

Thanks to recent rains, the windy and dry conditions likely won’t lead to severe fire danger, although some gusting-wind warnings could be issued in select mountain areas, he said.

Seto said visiting the beach “would be an excellent idea,” although temperatures at the coast -- while slightly cooler than inland areas -- will still be in the lower 80s.

But people should probably go by Saturday, since a roughly 10-degree drop in temperatures is expected Sunday, with another 3- to 4-degree drop Monday.

The high surf that has been attracting surfers to beaches this morning is expected to slowly subside by late this afternoon, Seto said.

• City News Service

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