California was sizzling after being gripped by a massive heatwave over Thanksgiving with record-high temperatures.
In downtown Los Angeles, the high was 91F, making this year’s Thanksgiving the hottest since record-keeping began in 1877, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
The previous record Thanksgiving Day high was 90F, set on November 26, 1903.
Several other cities experienced similar circumstances with Burbank reaching 95F, Long Beach hitting 96F, and Oxnard topping at 97F – all breaking their previous record-highs for the holiday.
California was left sizzling after being gripped by a massive heatwave over Thanksgiving with record-high temperatures. In downtown Los Angeles, the high was 91F, the hottest on record since the National Weather Service began record-keeping in 1887
The heat wave, which began Wednesday, is expected to begin breaking up Friday, with high temperatures for downtown Los Angeles expected to drop to the mid-80s
Some relief from the heat could be found along the coast and the High Desert where temperatures were in the low-80s, making it somewhat cooler than the valleys of the Inland Empire, according to NWS meteorologist James Brotherton with the San Diego office.
The heat wave, which began on Wednesday, is expected to begin breaking up on Friday, with high temperatures for downtown Los Angeles expected to drop to the mid-80s.
The trend is expected to continue through the weekend, with the high falling to about 80F on Saturday and into the mid-70s, more normal for this time of year, on Sunday.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the 80s in the valleys near Los Angeles through the weekend.
The unseasonably warm weather is being caused by an upper-level ridge of high pressure over Southern California, trapping warm desert air (Pictured, people sunbathe and play at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday)
But come Tuesday temperatures will start climbing up again, according to NWS meteorologists. Highs are expected to reach the low- to mid-80s (Pictured, a man and his daughter walk in the water at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday)
The unseasonably warm weather is being caused by an upper-level ridge of high pressure over Southern California, trapping warm desert air.
Many Californians used the opportunity to head to the beach to sunbathe and play.
But come Tuesday, temperatures will start climbing up again, according to Brotherton. Highs are expected to reach the low- to mid-80s.
According to Todd Hall, a meteorologist with the NWS Oxnard office, the agency began putting out information last week about the rise in temperatures so people could prepare for it and keep hydrated.