What a difference a week makes!

(Santa Monica Beach - July, 2005)

More typical southern California this week as a strong onshore flow with bring a thick marine layer eastward to the mountains.

Temperatures actually will run a few degrees below normal for the coastal and valley areas with temperatures generally in the upper 60s and 70s coastal areas and in the middle 70s to the 80s in the valleys.

Risks at the beaches

(Santa Monica Beach - July, 2005)

There's a high potential of rip currents along the beaches of Orange and San Diego counties for the next couple of days.

Surfers and swimmers are strongly advised to remain onshore.

Also...

Raw sewage has spilled into Mission Bay in San Diego. Some beaches are closed to high bacteria levels.

What's with the warm ocean temperatures?

(La Jolla - May, 2005)

During the past week or so... coastal water temperatures have been averaging in the 70s to the lower 80s...rather than normal middle to upper 60s.

The primary reason for these warm waters temperatures is simply the lack of winds to upwell the cooler deeper waters to the surface.

These warm water temperatures have been great for surfers, swimmers and fishermen.

Surfers have been able to enjoy the warm water temperatures with out their usual wet suit... swimmers are able to actually swim in the waters instead of just getting their feet and ankles wet...and fishermen have been catching tropical fish (not normally seen off the California coast) such as Yellowtail, dorado, skipjack tuna and Mahi-mahi.

Some forecasts indicate that the warm coastal water temperatures may continue into September with only minor day-to-day changes.

Another day of tstorms for some

(Sunset - Wednesday, July 26th, 2006)

No change in the current weather pattern for the southland.

There will be a continued risk for mainly afternoon and evening thunderstorms Friday...mainly over the mountains and deserts.

Some of these thunderstorms will have the potential of producing... strong/gusty winds...small hail...brief heavy downpours and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.

Monsoonal Thunderstorms

(Sunset - Tuesday, July 25th, 2006)

Chances for thunderstorms will gradually increase over the next couple of days...due to an increasing monsoonal flow.

Look for isolated to scattered (mainly afternoon/evening) showers and thunderstorms...primarily over the mountains and deserts.

There is a slight chance of a few thunderstorms reaching into some of the valleys of the Inland Empire and the valleys of San Diego county the next couple of afternoons and evenings.

Emilia will bring tstorms to SoCal

(Distant Mountain Tstorm - Monday morning - July 24th, 2006)

Moisture from Tropical Storm Emilia will bring an increase in tropical moisture to the southland for the remainder of the week.

This will result in scattered showers and thunderstorms over the mountain and desert areas with a few of them moving into the valleys and even the coastal areas Thursday and Friday.

There will likely be an increase threat of Flash Flooding over the mountains and deserts on Thursday and Friday too.

Cooler at the beaches!

(Newport Beach - July, 2005)

Relief from the heat can be felt at the beaches today.

Temperatures are expected to be in the 70s at most southland beaches...with even some patchy morning low clouds and fog!

Little Relief...

(Santa Monica Beach - July 24th, 2005)

Little relief in the heat expected to start the work week.

High temperatures Monday will reach in the 100s in the valleys with heat indices ranging between 105 to 115 this afternoon.

For downtown L.A and much of Orange County... temperatures will be in the 90s...except in the lower 100s in inland portions of Orange County.

For the beaches... temperatures here will be cooler than previous days. Temperatures will generally in the 70s to the lower 80s for the most part.

Frequent updates on the heat wave at...
Southland Weather.

Excessive Heat & Storms

(Sunrise - Saturday, July22nd, 2006)

Extreme heat and the continue risk for thunderstorms this Sunday.

Temperatures very well may top Saturday's temperature levels.

Expected high temperatures will range from around 100 downtown L.A., lower 100s at the Hollywood Hills, 103 to 116 in the valleys and even around 90 in downtown San Diego.

Heat Index readings will be around 110 in downtown L.A. this afternoon and between 110 to 120 out in the valleys.

Remember... drink plenty of water...even if your not feeling thirsty. Also...try to stay in an air conditioned room.

Thunderstorms will once again be a threat to much of the southland this Sunday. These storms will likely be the most numerous over the mountains and high desert regions. But...it's possible some of the storms may make west of the mountains later on Sunday afternoon into the valleys and even the coast.

Thunderstorms over the mountains and high deserts may produce... strong/gusty winds...heavy rains and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

Lightning is responsible for blazes Saturday on Catalina Island and the Cajon Pass.

Frequent weather updates at...
Southland WX.

Excessive Heat

(Sunset - Tuesday, July 18th, 2006)

-Update: 10:55am/pdt Saturday-

Excessive Heat will be the story across the southland this weekend.

Just about every location in southern California will see warm to hot temperatures both days.

Temperatures will range from the 80s at the beaches to the upper 90s to around 102 downtown L.A. and the Hollywood Hills on Saturday.

In the valleys... temperatures will range from around 100 to near 115 with heat index readings from 103 to 115 degrees.

Remember during these extreme heat conditions... drink plenty of water...try to stay out of the sun...preferably in an air-conditioned room.

The Flood Threat Continues

(Sunset - Tuesday, July 18th, 2006)

Like Thursday...the flash flood threat will be rather high over the mountain and desert areas of southern California...mainly during the afternoon and early evening hours.

In addition to the flash flood threat...these storms will have the potential of producing... strong/gusty winds...hail and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

Up to minute weather coverage at...
Southland Weather.

Flooding Threat for some

(Decaying storm clouds - Tuesday, July 18, 2006)

Thunderstorms are likely to develop by late this morning and continue through the evening hours Thursday over the mountains and deserts of the southland.

These thunderstorms will have the potential of producing... locally heavy rains that may result in flash flooding.

The greatest concern will be the Sawtooth/Millard burn area near the Yucca Valley.

Updated information at...
Southland Weather.

Risk of thunderstorms

(Mountain Thunderstorm at Sunset - Monday, July 17th, 2006)

Moist/unstable airmass over the southland will trigger isolated to widely scattered showers & thunderstorms over the mountains and deserts this afternoon and evening.

Thunderstorms will have the potential of producing... gusty winds, small hail, brief moderate to locally heavy downpours and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

Risk of Flooding/Mudslides in desert fire area

(Smoke & Distant Tstorm - Sunday, July 16th, 2006)

Scattered thunderstorms over the Sawtooth/Millard complex fire area has fairly high potential of resulting in flash flooding and mudslides this afternoon and evening.

As of Monday evening... the fire has apx. consumed 85,910 acres and is 85% contained.

Full containment of the Sawtooth portion of the fire is expected at 6:00pm this evening.

Further fire and weather updates at...
Southland Weather.

Thunderstorms/brushfires

( Smoky Pre-dawn sky - Sunday, July 15th, 2006)

As of late Sunday evening... the combined Sawtooth/Millard fires have consumed apx. 81,914 acres.

The fire is 70% contained.

Today's outlook...
Increased moist/unstable conditions will lead to a fairly good potential of mainly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms over the mountains and deserts of southern California (including the fire areas).

These storms may produce locally heavy rains...in which may produce flash flooding and mudflows (especially in the recent burn areas).

Frequent fire & weather updates at...
Southland Weather

Latest on the Brushfires

(Smoke filled sunset - Friday, July 14th, 2006)

Combined Sawtooth/Millard brushfires have burned apx. 72,000 acres as of late Saturday.

The fire is apx. 50% contained as of late Saturday.

1 fire related death in Pioneertown.

At this time... the fire isn't a threat to Big Bear.

Thunderstorms will be possible in the mountains and deserts of southern California. The possibility exists for additional fires...due to cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

Latest fire/weather information at...
Southland Weather

Brushfires Merge

(Smoke Filled Sky - Friday, July 14th, 2006)

Both the Sawtooth and Millard fires merge late Friday afternoon.

As of Friday evening... 59,000 acres have burned.

30% of the fire has been contained.

Frequent updates on the fires along with heat at...
Southland Weather

Growing Brushfires

(Smoke filled horizon - Thursday, July 13th, 2006)

The biggest fear of firefighters and residents is the two large fires burning in the Yucca Valley area and the southern San Bernardino mountains will merge into one large forest fire...then spread into the Big Bear area.

As of early Friday morning... The Sawtooth Fire in the Yucca Valley has consumed 47,800 acres and continues to grow rapidly.

The Millard Fire (just a couple of miles from the Sawtooth Fire) has grown to apx. 8,000 acres.

For frequently updated data on the fires and the latest evacutation information...

Visit: Southland Weather

Desert Brushfire (Update)

(Smokey Sunrise - July 14th, 2005)

Sawtooth Fire - Update:

37,000 acres have burned near Pioneertown as of late Wednesday evening.

42 homes destroyed.

9 injuries.

Containment: 15% as of late Wednesday evening.

Frequent Fire Updates at...
Southland Weather

"Raging desert fire"

(Smoky desert evening - Tuesday, July 11th, 2006)

26,000 acre brushfire is burning in the desert near Pioneertown (near 29 Palms).

9 injuries reported as of Wednesday morning along with 30 structures that have been burned.

Further updates on this fire at...
Southland WX.

Tropical Storm "BUD"

(Latest Infrared Satellite Image of Bud)

Tropical Storm "BUD" had formed over the eastern Pacific early Tuesday morning.

The only effect on southern California's weather this storm will have...is possibly an increase in surf later this week/weekend along south/southwest facing beaches.

Latest information on "BUD" at...
Southland WX's Eastern Tropical Weather page.

Isolated mountain storms?

(Saturday morning, July 8th, 2006)

There will be just enough moisture to continue a slight risk for afternoon and early evening thunderstorms over the mountains of San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties along with Hesperia/Victorville areas Monday.

On Sunday... lightning was responsible for igniting a fire in the Cajon Pass.

5th Warmest June for L.A.

(A few morning clouds - Saturday, July 8th, 2006)

If you thought the month of June was unusually warm... you guessed right!

The month of June ended up being the 5th warmest on record for Downtown Los Angeles.

The month of June average 73.5 degrees for Downtown L.A.
This is the 5th warmest since records began in 1877.

Thunderstorms in the mountains and deserts

(Thunderstorm in the desert - July 2nd, 2006)

There will be another round if isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms over the mountains and deserts Saturday.

These storms may produce... gusty winds...small hail...brief heavy rains and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

More Brushfires...

(Smoky Sunrise - June 25th, 2005)

Several brushfires reported Thursday across the southland.

The largest one was in the Inland Empire near Colton.

450 Acres had burned as of late Thursday evening.

Fireworks are believed to be the cause of the fire.

Additional information on the brushfires at...
Southland Weather

Another Brushfire

(Smoky Sunrise - June 25th, 2005)

A brushfire burned apx. 62 acres Wednesday in the Badlands in the Moreno valley.

The fire has been fully contained.

For a time Wednesday afternoon... the fire forced the closure of the 60 Freeway between Beaumont and the Moreno Valley.

The cause of fire is under investigation.

Slight risk of thunderstorms

(Monochrome/infrared photo of sunrise)

A slight risk of thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon over the mountains and deserts of Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.

These storms will have the capability of producing... locally gusty winds to around 45 mph...brief downpours and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

Happy Birthday America!

(Sunrise - October 5th, 2005)

Another Warm day for the 4th of July in southern California.

There also will be a chance of nature's fireworks (thunderstorms) over the mountains and deserts...and possibly even spilling into the valleys of the Inland Empire and San Diego county this afternoon.

Temperatures will range from 80s and 90s inland areas to the upper 60s to the middle 70s at the beaches.

Downtown L.A. will likely see temperatures this afternoon in the middle to upper 80s.

Brushfire update

(Glow from distant brushfire - Monday, July3rd, 2006)

The Brushfire burning since Friday afternoon near Temecula is 95% contained as of 8:00pm Sunday evening.

Apx. 150 acres have burned.

Fire officials expect the fire to be fully contained by Monday evening.

This Date in History:
2001: A "Moaning" sound accompanied an approaching wall of sand and dust. Caused by a microburst from a high-based thunderstorm, this dust-and debris-laden wind toppled a radio tower and caused property damage at Hesperia.

Isolated storms?

(Decaying Tstorm - Friday, June 30th, 2006)

There's a slight risk for mainly afternoon/evening thunderstorms Sunday over the mountains of San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego Counties...and the deserts of San Bernardino and San Diego Counties.

The primary threats from these storms will be locally gusty winds and cloud to ground lightning strikes.

Due to the dry airmass over the southland... these storms will produce little or no rainfall.

Dry rainy season

(Downtown Los Angeles - August 2001)

Los Angeles Rain year officially ended on Friday, June 30th.

13.19" fell at the downtown (USC) observation site during the 2005/2006 rainy season which runs from July 1st through June 30th.

This rainfall total is a departure of 1.95" from the normal 15.14".

The previous (2004/2005 rainy season) 37.25" had fallen.