It was not just a hot day in Southern California.  It was a record breaker.  Friday saw temperatures soar to unprecedented levels in Woodland Hills and Burbank.  The National Weather Service Los Angeles reported that Woodland Hills hit a scorching 102 degrees, shattering the previous May 9th record of 99 degrees set way back in 1984.  Burbank was not far behind, with temperatures reaching 98 degrees, just one degree above the 1940 record.  Even Paso Robles came close to breaking its own record, missing it by just one degree.

This heatwave was not a one-day event.  It was part of a larger pattern.  A heat advisory was issued for the valleys and Inland Empire, starting Friday at 10 a. m. and lasting until Saturday at 9 p. m.  This advisory was a warning.  It was a sign that the heat was not going away anytime soon.  It was a reminder that climate change is real and it is affecting us now.

The cause of this heatwave?  A high-pressure system had settled over Southern California.  This system was pushing temperatures up and keeping them there.  But there was a glimmer of hope.  A cold front was moving in behind the high-pressure system.  This front was expected to bring temperatures back down, just in time for Mother's Day on Sunday.

So, what does this all mean?  It means that we need to be prepared.  We need to be ready for these extreme weather events.  We need to take care of ourselves and our communities.  We need to think critically about how we can adapt to a changing climate.  We need to think critically about how we can reduce our carbon footprint.  We need to think critically about how we can create a more sustainable future.

Southern California's Sudden Heatwave

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