Southern California Battles Record-Breaking Heat Just Days Following Severe Winter Weather.
After enduring heavy downpours that resulted in floodwaters across sections of the city, Los Angeles is now grappling with unseasonably warm temperatures for late February.
Record-Setting Heat
By Friday afternoon, the temperature reached ninety-one degrees Fahrenheit in downtown Los Angeles, according to the National Weather Service. This easily surpasses the prior high for this date, which was 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) and was recorded in 2025.
"Unusually high temperatures" were labeled on official maps for the region.
Safety Alerts
Forecasters issued a warning that Friday's conditions posed an "increased danger for heat illness" for people sensitive to heat. Their recommendations included:
- Staying hydrated.
- Avoiding outdoor activities during the afternoon hours of the day.
- Not leaving anyone unattended in a car.
An Extreme Weather Swing
This sudden spike in heat follows closely after a powerful winter storm that battered the state earlier in the week. That storm brought heavy snow, strong winds, and thunderstorms to the mountains, leading to evacuation orders for countless residents.
Sadly, the severe weather also caused a massive avalanche in the Lake Tahoe area, which resulted in nine fatalities.
Forecast Ahead
Looking ahead cooler conditions will arrive. Temperatures were forecast to drop to around 61°F (16°C) in central Los Angeles by overnight.
Several cities that hit the 90-degree mark featured Woodland Hills, Long Beach, and Burbank. Meanwhile, Westwood, Camarillo, Santa Maria, and Oxnard were projected to see the high 80s.
For the weekend, central Los Angeles can see weather in the eighties, with mid-70s temperatures likely for the start of March.
