Scorching heat breaks records across Southland
A sudden influx of heat has Southern California residents feeling the swoon of summer in the middle of spring, as several regions reached record-breaking temperatures Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service, the 100 degree weather in Long Beach shattered a previous record of 93 degrees set in 1989.
Additionally, several other locales experienced record-breaking heat, including:
- Los Angeles International Airport: 100 degrees, breaking previous record of 93 in 1989,
- Santa Ana: 99 degrees, tying previous record set in 1989,
- Chula Vista: 91 degrees, breaking previous record of 89 set in 1989,
- El Cajon: 97 degrees, breaking previous record of 95 set in 1899,
- Oxnard: 99 degrees, breaking previous record of 89,
- Camarillo: 98 degrees, breaking previous record of 92 set in 1989,
- Santa Barbara: 92 degrees, breaking previous record of 91 set in 1989,
- Fullerton: 101 degrees, breaking previous record of 90 set in 2014,
- Ontario: 96 degrees, breaking previous record of 92 set in 2014,
- Chino: 99 degrees, breaking previous record of 92 set in 2014,
- John Wayne Airport: 103 degrees, breaking previous record of 85 set in 2010,
- Oceanside: 98 degrees, breaking previous record of 81 set in 2010,
- Carlsbad: 95 degrees, breaking previous record of 79 set in 2010.
CBS reporters spoke with several beach city residents who were attempting to beat the heat against all odds - since most properties in the area are unequipped with air conditioning units.
Some of the folks were miserable enough that their escape was going to work.
"I was actually looking forward to work cause it's pretty cool over here," said one employee working at Mini Monster Cafe, where they serve chilled drinks and hand-scooped ice cream.
"If you step our for a second it's just like a wave of heat," she continued.
"My whole house, like the whole inside was heated up like a furnace," said one Subway employee who spoke with Montanez, trying to recall the last time he could remember it ever being that hot at the beach.
Rick Carlson was watering the plants in the courtyard of his apartment, hoping it would help cool things down.
"It's tough," he said before CBS LA's Rick Montanez coaxed a truthful answer out him. "It sucks! It's too hot."
The droves of beachgoers were also treated to the unpleasant surprise that the beach was actually hotter than most Inland Empire locales, but the cool water helped.
"We went straight in the water," said Marylu Soto, a South Gate resident who brought her children to the beach to escape the heat in their hometown - where it was 98 degrees Thursday. "My son literally ran into the water as soon as we got here."
The warm temps persisted throughout the day and into the evening, still hovering over 80 degrees as the sun began to set.
"Still right now even, I'm so hot. The sun's on its way down, but it's still so hot," said Brooklyn Hanna, who lives in Seal Beach.
NWS officials urged residents to monitor their level of water intake to remain hydrated, especially children and the elderly.
Heat advisories were set to remain in place through Friday afternoon at 6 p.m., with another round of potentially record-breaking hit set to strike earlier Friday.
