Record temperatures in California
While central and eastern parts of the US have experienced stormy weather and falling temperatures over the last few days, Santa Ana winds have brought record setting warmth to California.
Santa Ana winds are strong, drying winds which sweep down from the Great Basin between the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains towards the Pacific Ocean. They can be a cold or warm wind depending on the temperature of the source region, and typically form during autumn and early spring, although they can develop at any time of year.
In this case the wind has been a warming Föhn wind, the air increasing in temperature as it passed from the high deserts down the mountain slopes. Although it was a strong wind, the influx of warm air caused new temperature records to be set across parts of California on Saturday. The highest temperatures were to be found towards the coast where crowds flocked to the beaches.
In El Cajon, San Diego, the temperature reached 34.4C (94F) breaking the previous record of 31.7C (89F) set in 2000. The same temperature was also recorded in Vista breaking the old record for this date of 30C (86F) set in 1994. Temperatures in Los Angeles also rose into the low 30s (low 90s in Fahrenheit) and today are forecast to rise to a hot 36C (97F).
In April average temperatures should be nearer 19 to 21C (66-70F). Over the next few days cooler weather is forecast for California.
