LOS ANGELES – High temperature records were set throughout Southern California on a scorching spring Sunday — many in the same areas that also set records a day earlier, the National Weather Service said.
A high-pressure system that settled over the West Coast baked Los Angeles International Airport with temperatures of 96 degrees. The previous record was 90 degrees on the same day in 1947.
Long Beach topped out at 95 degrees on Sunday as did Camarillo and Westwood in Los Angeles.
The Santa Monica Pier heated up to 86 degrees, breaking the record of 78 degrees set on the same day in 1993.
The temperature soared to 97 degrees at the San Diego Wild Animal Park near Escondido, the highest for the day in 24 years.
Small brush fires broke out amid the dry, hot conditions in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, but both were quickly extinguished.
Weather service spokesman Bill Hoffer says the high-pressure system was moving quickly and was expected to dissipate in the coming days, with temperatures returning to more seasonal norms by Wednesday.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV 04-13-08 2313EDT
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