Sizzling temperatures trash records across state

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Sizzling temperatures trash records across state

COUNTY -- Off the charts.

That's what forecasters said as soaring temperatures shattered records throughout California, including one set more than a century ago in Santa Cruz.

Expect more of the same today, said National Weather Service forecaster Duane Dykema in Monterey. Though high clouds may filter in during the day, at best they'll only shave off a few degrees. Cooling should start at the coast Wednesday, with inland areas picking up the trend by Thursday.

"If it's cooler Tuesday, nobody is going to be able to tell," Dykema said.

In addition to Santa Cruz, where the previous record high of 88 degrees in 1899 fell to Monday's 96, records tumbled in towns across the region, from San Rafael to Monterey, according to the National Weather Service. Monterey's high of 93 bested the record set in 1986 by 8 degrees and was the hottest temperature recorded this early in the year for 60 years. San Francisco set a new mark at 93.

Triple-digit readings occurred across Southern California counties, including 100 degrees in downtown Los Angeles -- breaking the previous record of 96 set in 1958 -- and 103 at Santa Ana and Riverside, forecasters reported.

In Watsonville, a scorching 97 degrees had people sheltering in the shade at the City Plaza. Others carried their shade with them.

"It's hot, the sun," said Maria Rodriguez, sporting a pink umbrella and bottled water as she strolled downtown.

Watsonville Fire Chief Mark Bisbee said the heat plus a slight breeze had increased the fire danger, but most of the chatter on emergency dispatch channels was for medical aid.

"Coastal people, we're not used to this type of weather, especially this early in the season. We haven't acclimated," Bisbee said. "If I could get out a message, it would be don't leave children in cars, don't leave pets in cars, drink a lot of water."

A high pressure area drove up temperatures in combination with an offshore breeze that kept cooler ocean air at bay, Dykema said. But a low pressure area sitting in the Gulf of Alaska is set to bring a chill back. By the end of the week, temperatures are expected to drop 30 degrees or more. Rain is a possibility by the weekend, though computer models are offering conflicting predictions, Dykema said.

April has been cooler than normal, Dykema said. But temperature swings are not unusual during the spring.

"The only thing that's unusual is we don't see so many records fall and by such large margins," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Area Highs

Aptos: 98

Ben Lomond: 95

Bonny Doon: 93

Boulder Creek: 95

Capitola: 96

Corralitos: 96

La Selva Beach: 97

Santa Cruz: 96

Scotts Valley: 94

Soquel: 95

Watsonville: 97

http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_12188153

[amberdima 6]

last saturday- it was 85 in NJ and will be again this coming weekend. it's crazy this early in the year, but i'm not mad about it.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

It was like 85 degrees at 9am today...and I live near the ocean

[AngelSaint 0]

it's 94 here in vegas today....freakin' hot...and it will still go up for more during summer...wahhhhhhhhh....

[Texanadian 10]

Dry heat.

Come to Texas and Florida. We'll show you pain.

[NickD 203]

We had snow today, once inch of it.