LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A mini heat wave could send some Southland temperatures into record territory today, including a high of 93 degrees in Downtown L.A., setting the stage for an uncommonly warm Thanksgiving Day, with more records possible, forecasters said.
Temperatures today will be around 20 degrees above normal while Thursday's will be generally 20-25 degrees higher than the average even though they'll be a little lower than today's in many communities, said National Weather Service meteorologist Rich Thompson.
The highest L.A. County temperature expected today is 95 in Woodland Hills, while Mission Viejo in Orange County may reach 97.
The unusual temperatures are the result of high pressure aloft combined with weak but warm offshore winds, Thompson said.
Some heat records for a November 21 were set in Los Angeles County Tuesday, including 91 in Burbank, topping the 88 set in 2002; 91 in Woodland Hills, besting the 89 set in 2002; and 74 in Sandberg, compared to 70 in 1995.
More records are possible today, including in Downtown L.A., Long Beach, Burbank, Lancaster and Palmdale, Thompson said, adding that heat records could also be set Thursday in Downtown L.A., Burbank, Lancaster and Palmdale.
If Thursday's high in Downtown L.A. reaches 90, as forecast, it would tie a record set on November 23, 1903, Thompson said.
In Orange County, a high of 81 is expected in Newport Beach, tying a record set in 2002, while the expected high of 91 in Santa Ana Thursday could tie a record set in 1950, said NWS meteorologist Greg Martin.
The NWS forecast sunny skies in L.A. County today and highs of 82 in Palmdale and Lancaster; 84 on Mount Wilson; 86 in Avalon; 88 at LAX; 90 in Saugus; 93 in Downtown L.A., Long Beach, Pasadena, San Gabriel and Burbank; and 95 in Woodland Hills.
Sunny skies were also forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 78 in Laguna Beach; 80 in San Clemente; 81 in Newport Beach; 95 in Yorba Linda and Anaheim; 96 in Irvine and Fullerton; and 97 in Mission Viejo.
Thanksgiving Day temperatures will be between one and four degrees lower than today in many communities, then fall again on Friday, when highs will be 10 degrees lower than today in several areas but still above the norm.