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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Southland temperatures will be running almost 20 degrees above normal in some areas today, with the high forecast to hit a summer-like 101 degrees in Woodland Hills.
The high heat results from a weak offshore flow, which is keeping away cool marine breezes, said National Weather Service meteorologist David Sweet, adding that high pressure aloft is also a factor.
Downtown L.A., where the average for this time of the year is 79, according to Sweet, is forecast to hit 95 this afternoon. Burbank is expected to hit 99 and Woodland Hills 101; the normal high in both is around 80.
Sweet said the high heat is contributing to an elevated risk of wildfire, but no fire warnings -- red flag warnings or fire weather watches -- were in effect today.
The NWS forecast sunny skies in L.A. County today and highs of 79 on Mount Wilson; 84 in Avalon; 87 in Palmdale and Lancaster; 91 at LAX; 95 in Downtown L.A.; 96 in San Gabriel; 97 in Pasadena; 98 in Long Beach; 99 in Burbank and Saugus; and 101 in Woodland Hills.
Sunny skies were also forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 81 in Laguna Beach; 86 in Newport Beach and San Clemente; 96 in Mission Viejo; 97 in Irvine; 98 in Anaheim; and 100 in Yorba Linda and Fullerton. Normal for this time of the year in Yorba Linda and Fullerton is 79, according to the NWS.
Temperatures will steadily decline over the coming days but begin ramping up again on Saturday.