SoCal Sets New Record Temperatures on Xmass

Mercury (!) rises above 86 degrees at Oceanside, CA

Warm, dry Santa Ana winds drove temperatures to record or near-record highs in southern California on Wednesday.

National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous United States)

• High Temperature for Wednesday: 86ºF (30ºC) at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA

• Low Temperature for Wednesday: -22ºF (-30ºC) at Mount Washington, NH

Source: NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD – Issued 7 pm EST Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Long Beach reported highs of above 83 degrees, 2 degrees above the 1972 daily record for Xmas, according to NWS.

As of December 24, 2013 California had broken or tied a total of 43  daily high temperatures for the month.

Santa Ana Winds

The arrival of Santa Ana winds coupled with very low relative humidity prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue Red Flag Warnings for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds will continue across the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties and associated coast and valley areas through Thursday afternoon. The offshore winds will strengthen into Thursday morning with gusts up to 40 – 45 mph.

Poor relative humidity recoveries are expected tonight with many locations remaining below 25 percent. On Thursday, conditions will continue to dry with areas of single digit relative humidities likely along with well above normal temperatures for most areas. Very dry conditions are likely to persist into Friday, but with much lighter winds.

A red flag warning remains in effect for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Thursday due to the combination of moderate offshore winds, low humidities, warm temperatures, and abnormally dry fuels. —NWS