Friday, October 1, 2010

Daily Rainfall Records Drowned from Mid Atlantic to Northeast

Oct. 6 Update: The Northeast Regional Climate Center reports that an additional record was set on Sept. 30 at Elkins WV: 1.86" (old record 1.03" in 1976).

Original post:
In addition to the records set earlier in North Carolina, the torrential rainfall from a weather system fed in part by the moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole smashed rainfall records yesterday and today from the Mid Atlantic area through the Northeast. In the Washington DC region, records were set at all 3 major reporting locations.

At Washington National, the 4.66" exceeded by nearly 2" the old record for the date of 2.76" set in 1924. This was also the third highest September daily amount for the 140 years of records, behind 4.76" on the 16th in 1976 and 5.16" on the 2nd in 1922. Washington DC records began in 1871.

At Washington Dulles, the 4.74" destroyed by a factor of 5 the old record for Sept. 30 of 0.86" set in 1976. It was also the third highest amount for any day in September, exceeded only by 5.11" on the 6th in 2008 and 5.52" on the 14th in 1966. This means that 2 out of the 3 highest daily totals for September at Dulles have now been set in the last 3 years. Records began at Dulles in 1963.

At Baltimore-Washington International, the 6.02" was almost four times the previous Baltimore record of 1.60" in 1920. It was the highest amount for any day in September since records began in 1870. The old record was 5.97" on the 24th in 1912. It was also the second highest rainfall for any day in any month at Baltimore, behind the 7.62" on Aug. 23, 1933.

The combined total of 15.42" at the 3 locations is the second highest for any day since records began at Dulles. The highest was the 18.97" from Tropical Storm Agnes on June 21, 1972. The other dates with totals over 10" were:
6/25/2006 13.88"
9/14/1966 13.41"
9/5/1979 11.85"
10/8/2005 10.83"
9/16/1999 10.74"
9/6/2008 10.25"
Rainfall amounts were even higher along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, ranging up to 13" in southern St. Mary's County MD.

Other daily rainfall records set on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 (old record in parentheses):
Sept. 30:
Elizabeth City NC 5.86" (4.52", 1971)
Richmond VA 3.69" (2.85", 1924)
Norfolk VA 7.85" (3.88", 1943)
Wilmington DE 4.32" (3.56", 1924)
Allentown PA 5.73" (3.72", 1934)
Philadelphia PA 2.41" (2.38", 1900)
Reading PA 5.15" (2.48", 1924)
Mt. Pocono PA 5.74" (3.00", 1920)
Harrisburg PA 3.22" (2.00", 1920)
Williamsport PA 3.91" (3.90", 1924)
Avoca PA 3.69" (3.33", 1924)
Binghamton NY 4.24" (0.90", 1999)
Syracuse NY 2.66" (1.53", 1924)
Albany NY 2.68" (2.51", 1920)
Massena NY 3.41" (1.22", 1986)
Newark NJ 1.21" (1.15", 1983)
Bridgeport CT 0.73" (0.65", 1983)
Montpelier VT 1.91" (0.91", 1959)
Oct. 1:
Wilmington DE 3.23" (2.50", 1902)
LaGuardia NY 2.24" (1.12", 1979)
Kennedy Airpt NY 2.02" (1.37", 1966)
Albany NY 3.04" (1.02", 2006)
Newark NJ 2.36" (1.50", 1936)
Burlington VT 1.49" (1.25", 1977)
Hartford CT 2.15" (1.57", 2006)
Worcester MA 2.19" (1.53", 1966)
Concord NH 1.33" (1.30", 1979)
The Norfolk rainfall was the second highest for any day in September, behind only the 8.93" on the 1st in 2006. Seven of the 30 daily records for September at Norfolk have now been set in the last 9 years. Norfolk precipitation records began in 1871.

The Binghamton amount was a new all-time daily record, beating the old record of 4.05" on June 27, 2006. The old September daily record was 3.50" on the 27th in 1985. The top two all-time daily precipitation amounts at Binghamton have now occurred in the last 5 years. Binghamton records began in 1951.

The Albany total was the second highest for any day in October, slightly under the 3.09" on the 9th in 1903. Albany records began in 1874.

Images (click to enlarge): 24-hour Mid Atlantic and Northeast precipitation, Washington/Baltimore regional storm total rainfall, both ending 8 am EDT, Oct. 1, 2010; From National Weather Service

Thursday, September 30, 2010

East Coast Flooding From "Not-Nicole" Spreads Northward

As noted in the update to the previous post, the rain has finally ended in Wilmington NC, but the flooding from excessive rainfall fed in part by the moisture from what was formerly Tropical Storm Nicole is spreading northward. Here are some highlights from the Mid Atlantic and Northeast posted in The Weather Channel's twitch stream, arranged from south to north:
  • Reports of fire dept. rescues in New Bern, NC.
  • 32 streets reported flooded in the town of Ahoskie, NC.
  • Route 5 is now closed in Great Mills, MD. Numerous intersections remain closed in Fairfax County, VA.
  • Numerous Baltimore Co. closures due to flood including Route 40 in Catonsville Hts. More rain approaching.
  • Over 5" of rain triggered small-stream flood causing Millersville Univ. to close for the day. Downed trees also.
  • Widespread street flooding, with roads closed reported in Tremont, PA.
  • Already a top 10 wettest day on record in Allentown, PA (4.33").
  • NWS has adjusted downward the flood crest forecast for the Schuylkill @ Philadelphia to 14'. Would be highest since Floyd '99.
  • No travel advised due to numerous flooded roads in Cortland County, NY. Reports of evacuations in McGraw.
  • Flood becoming serious in central NY. Many roads covered by 6-12 inches of water in Rome, NY.
Image (click to enlarge): U.S. composite satellite image at 8 pm EDT, September 30, 2010 shows moisture streaming northward from the tropics over the Mid Atlantic coast and into the Northeast, from SSEC/University of Wisconsin.

Coastal North Carolina's Second 500-Year Rainfall in 11 Years

Oct. 5 Update: The flood waters have still not receded in many of the affected areas of North Carolina:
N.C. begins to survey damage from rain and floods

9 PM Update: The rain finally ended at Wilmington a little before 7 pm. The 6-hour total precipitation ending at 8 pm was 1.27".

6 PM Update: Wilmington has received 0.14" more in the last hour as the rainfall has diminished to moderate.

Elizabeth City's total so far today of 4.09" is still short of the record 4.52" for the date.

The 2.53" at Richmond VA is below the record of 2.85".

Today's 5.62" at Norfolk VA through 5 pm is a new record for the date. It's the third highest daily record for all of September. An additional 0.19" has fallen in the last hour.

5 PM Update: The 0.42" in the latest hour brings the 3-hour total to 1.11". As of 4 pm, today's total was 1.74" and September to date was 22.17".

Added Hurricane Floyd precipitation map (click to enlarge) from Climate Prediction Center/NOAA and links to Floyd reports.

4 PM Update: Heavy rain continues, 0.39" more in the last hour.

3 PM Update: An additional 0.30" has fallen in the last hour with visibility reduced to 1.5 miles in continuing heavy rain.

Original post:
Excessive rainfall in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina from a tropical conveyor belt including the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole has broken the total rainfall record from Hurricane Floyd in 1999. The Floyd rainfall has been described by the National Weather Service as a once-in-500-year event.

The NWS reported this morning that the 19.66" at Wilmington in the 3 days ending yesterday is the highest 3-day total precipitation in records that began in 1871. The 10.33" on Monday is also the second highest all-time single day amount following Floyd's 13.38" on Sept. 15, 1999. The September total so far of 20.84" through this morning is the second highest for the month behind 1999. Heavy rain is continuing at Wilmington, and an additional 0.45" has fallen in the 6 hours ending at 2 pm EDT.

The map to the right (click to enlarge) from NWS shows North Carolina 7-day total precipitation ending at 8 am EDT this morning. The purple area extending from eastern South Carolina northward through the southeastern coast of North Carolina and to the Virginia border represents 10-15" of precipitation, with a smaller area near the coast of 15-20".

According to the NWS report, here is how the current event fits in with previous history:
OBSERVED TOTALS...  
SUNDAY SEP 26 0.59 INCHES
MONDAY SEP 27 10.33 INCHES
TUESDAY SEP 28 1.96 INCHES
WEDNESDAY SEP 29 7.37 INCHES
THURSDAY SEP 30 0.41 INCHES (1-3 INCHES MORE POSSIBLE)

1-DAY ALL-TIME RECORDS...
#1 13.38 INCHES 9/15/1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#2 10.33 INCHES 9/27/2010 (MONDAY'S EVENT)
#3 9.56 INCHES 8/31/2006 (TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO)
#4 9.52 INCHES 9/29/1938
#5 8.04 INCHES 8/18/1879 ("GREAT BEAUFORT HURRICANE")

2-DAY ALL-TIME RECORDS...
#1 17.71 INCHES 9/15 & 9/16 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#2 14.73 INCHES 9/14 & 9/15 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#3 12.29 INCHES 9/27 & 9/28 2010 (MONDAY/TUESDAY'S EVENT)
#4 11.87 INCHES 10/7 & 10/8 2005 (TROPICAL STORM TAMMY)
#5 11.54 INCHES 7/7 & 7/8 1950

3-DAY ALL-TIME RECORDS...
#1 19.66 INCHES 9/27 - 9/29 2010
#2 19.06 INCHES 9/14 - 9/16 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#3 17.71 INCHES 9/15 - 9/17 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#4 14.73 INCHES 9/13 - 9/15 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#5 13.44 INCHES 9/11 - 9/13 1984 (HURRICANE DIANA)

4-DAY ALL-TIME RECORDS...
#1 20.25 INCHES 9/26 - 9/29 2010
#2 19.06 INCHES 9/14 - 9/17 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#2 19.06 INCHES 9/13 - 9/16 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#4 17.71 INCHES 9/15 - 9/18 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#5 14.73 INCHES 9/12 - 9/15 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)

5-DAY ALL-TIME RECORDS...
#1 20.66 INCHES 9/26 - 9/29 2010 (ONGOING EVENT THROUGH 720 AM...)
#2 19.06 INCHES 9/14 - 9/18 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#2 19.06 INCHES 9/13 - 9/17 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#2 19.06 INCHES 9/12 - 9/16 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)
#5 17.71 INCHES 9/15 - 9/19 1999 (HURRICANE FLOYD)

SEPTEMBER MONTHLY RAINFALL RECORDS...
#1 23.41 INCHES 1999 (HURRICANES DENNIS & FLOYD)
#2 20.84 INCHES 2010 (ONGOING EVENT THROUGH 720 AM...)
#3 20.10 INCHES 1877 ("HURRICANE FOUR")
#4 18.94 INCHES 1984 (HURRICANE DIANA)
#5 16.93 INCHES 1924 ("HURRICANE FIVE" AND "TROP STORM EIGHT")

Monday, September 27, 2010

Endless Summer XI: All-Time Record Hot Temperature In Los Angeles

Sept. 28, 2 PM Update: The LATi confirms that the downtown Los Angeles weather sensor stopped working about an hour after the record temperature was reported:
The National Weather Service's thermometer for downtown Los Angeles headed into uncharted territory at 12:15 p.m. Monday, reaching 113 degrees for the first time since records began being kept in 1877.

Shortly after that banner moment, the temperature dipped back to 111, and then climbed back to 112. Then at 1 p.m., the thermometer stopped working.

The weather service office in Oxnard rushed an electronics technician 60 miles southeast to the USC campus to repair the thermometer, which is actually a highly sensitive wire connected to electronic equipment. Because of the snafu, officials said it's possible Monday's temperature actually was hotter than 113 — but they might never know.
As of 9 am PDT this morning, the sensor was up and running again. The current temperature is still hot, but only 92°.

9 PM (PDT) Update: The downtown Los Angeles automated station is apparently still not functioning normally this evening (scroll down to original post below for details of the record temperature). The National Weather Service has posted this summary of the record heat of September 27:
THE COMBINATION OF UNSEASONABLY STRONG HIGH PRESSURE ALOFT AND WEAK   
OFFSHORE LOW LEVEL FLOW MADE FOR AN EXTREMELY HOT DAY ACROSS MUCH
OF SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA TODAY. THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURES...
GENERALLY BETWEEN 110 AND 113 DEGREES...WERE FOUND ACROSS INTERIOR
SECTIONS OF THE COASTAL PLAIN AND IN THE COASTAL VALLEYS...WHERE
COMPRESSIONAL HEATING OF THE AIR AS IT DESCENDED INTO LOWER
ELEVATIONS OF THE ATMOSPHERE ADDED A FEW DEGREES TO THE
TEMPERATURES. THE TEMPERATURE REGIME TODAY WAS FAIRLY TYPICAL
OF WEAK OFFSHORE FLOW PATTERNS...WHERE THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURES OFTEN
OCCUR IN THE LOWER VALLEYS AND ACROSS INTERIOR SECTIONS OF THE
COASTAL PLAIN WHERE THE SEA BREEZES ARE DELAYED. HOWEVER...THE
INTENSITY OF THE HEAT TODAY WAS RATHER EXTREME...RESULTING IN MANY
RECORDS FOR THE DATE...AS WELL AS SOME MONTHLY AND SOME ALL-TIME
RECORDS.

HERE IS A LIST OF HIGH TEMPERATURES TODAY AT OFFICIAL RECORD SITES
IN SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA...THE PREVIOUS RECORDS FOR THE DATE...
AND ALL TIME RECORDS AT THAT LOCATION. TEMPERATURES DENOTED WITH AN
ASTERISK BROKE OR TIED RECORDS FOR THE DATE...AND THOSE WITH TWO
ASTERISKS BROKE OR TIED ALL-TIME RECORDS.

HIGH RECORD ALL
TODAY FOR THE TIME
DATE (YEAR) RECORD (DATE)
----- ----------- ----------------

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES 113** 106 (1963) 112 ( 6/26/1990)
LONG BEACH AIRPORT 111** 109 (1963) 111 (10/15/1961)
BURBANK AIRPORT 110* 104 (1963) 113 ( 9/12/1971)
WOODLAND HILLS 111* 107 (1993) 119 ( 7/22/2006)
LOS ANGELES AIRPORT 105* 105 (1963) 110 ( 9/26/1963)
SAN GABRIEL 110* 108 (1963) 112 ( 9/04/1988)
UCLA 108* 104 (1963) 109 ( 9/20/1939)
LANCASTER AIRPORT 103* 103 (2003) 114 ( 7/18/1960)
PALMDALE AIRPORT 102* 102 (2003) 113 ( 7/05/2007)
SANTA BARBARA AIRPORT 100* 99 (1970) 109 ( 6/27/1990)
SANTA MARIA AIRPORT 105* 99 (1917) 110 ( 6/20/2008)
PASO ROBLES AIRPORT 108* 105 (1963) 115 ( 6/14/2000)
SAN LUIS OBISPO CALPOLY 109* 104 (1993) 112 ( 9/14/1971)
OXNARD (NWS) 100* 99 (1963) 103 ( 9/24/1978)


HERE IS A LIST OF HIGH TEMPERATURES AT OTHER SITES AROUND
SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA TODAY...WITH UNOFFICIAL RECORDS WHERE
AVAILABLE


UNOFFICIAL UNOFFICIAL
HIGH RECORD ALL
TODAY FOR THE TIME
DATE (YEAR) RECORD (DATE)
----- ----------- ----------------
PASADENA 111 106 (1963) 113 ( 6/17/1917)
POMONA FAIRPLEX 111 107 (1963) 117 ( 6/17/1917)
OJAI 112 104 (1963) 119 ( 6/16/1917)
SANTA BARBARA CITY 107 103 (1963) 115 ( 6/17/1917)
TORRANCE 105 106 (1963) 111 ( 9/01/1955)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY
------------------
DEL VALLE 112
DUARTE 112
CHATSWORTH 111
HAWTHORNE 111
CLAREMONT 111
NORTHRIDGE 110
GETTY CENTER 110
SAUGUS 110
BELLFLOWER 109
LA CANADA 107
AVALON AIRPORT 104
SANTA MONICA AIRPORT 103

VENTURA COUNTY
--------------
SANTA PAULA 113
FILLMORE 112
LAKE CASITAS 112
THOUSAND OAKS 110
MOORPARK 110
SIMI VALLEY 109
PIRU 108
CHEESEBORO 108
VENTURA 104

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
--------------------
MONTECITO HILLS 112
SANTA YNEZ 109
VANDENBERG HILLS 104
LOMPOC 99

SAN LUIS OBISPO CNTY
--------------------
SAN LUIS OBISPO ARPT 110
LAKE LOPEZ 110
CRESTON 108
LAS TABLAS 108
ARROYO GRANDE 104
MORRO BAY 102
The NWS reported these records from the San Diego region today and Sunday:
...HIGHEST MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON SEPTEMBER 27...  

LOCATION NEW RECORD OLD RECORD PERIOD OF RECORD

BIG BEAR LAKE 84 84 IN 2003 SINCE 1960
BORREGO 108 107 IN 1999 SINCE 1948
EL CAJON 109 100 IN 1993 SINCE 1979
ELSINORE 111 106 IN 1975 SINCE 1948
INDIO 109 109 IN 1978 SINCE 1927
PALOMAR MOUNTAIN 89 88 IN 1968 SINCE 1948
RIVERSIDE MARCH 108 106 IN 1993 SINCE 1927
SANTA ANA 111 108 IN 1963 SINCE 1948
VISTA 107 105 IN 1963 SINCE 1957
YORBA LINDA 112 108 IN 1963 SINCE 1948
RAMONA APT ASOS 108 100 IN 1978 SINCE 1974
RIVERSIDE APT ASOS 113 106 IN 1993 SINCE 1927

...HIGHEST MINIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON SEPTEMBER 27...

LOCATION NEW RECORD OLD RECORD PERIOD OF RECORD

ALPINE 78 71 IN 1963 SINCE 1952
EL CAJON 68 67 IN 1984 SINCE 1979
ELSINORE 67 65 IN 1985 SINCE 1948
PALOMAR MOUNTAIN 70 67 IN 2001 SINCE 1948
PALM SPRINGS 83 80 IN 1994 SINCE 1927
YORBA LINDA 72 70 IN 1970 SINCE 1948

...HIGHEST MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON SEPTEMBER 26...

LOCATION NEW RECORD OLD RECORD PERIOD OF RECORD

LAKE ARROWHEAD 88 TIED 88 IN 1999 SINCE 1948
BIG BEAR LAKE 84 TIED 84 IN 1960 SINCE 1960
BORREGO 109 108 IN 1991 SINCE 1948
CAMPO COOP 100 99 IN 2001 SINCE 1948
EL CAJON 105 100 IN 1989 SINCE 1979
ELSINORE 106 104 IN 1963 SINCE 1948
INDIO 113 111 IN 1963 SINCE 1927
RIVERSIDE MARCH 106 105 IN 1963 SINCE 1927
THERMAL 111 110 IN 1956 SINCE 1950
ONTARIO APT 107 TIED 107 IN 1978 SINCE 1951
RAMONA APT 105 100 IN 2009 SINCE 1974
THERMAL APT 111 110 IN 2009 SINCE 1950
PALM SPRINGS 111 TIED 111 IN 2009 SINCE 1927

...HIGHEST MINIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED ON SEPTEMBER 26...

LOCATION NEW RECORD OLD RECORD PERIOD OF RECORD

IDYLLWILD 58 56 IN 2003 SINCE 1948
PALM SPRINGS 80 79 IN 1999 SINCE 1927
6 PM (PDT) Update: Caution: Although the National Weather Service is continuing to report the all-time record high temperature for Los Angeles, the reports for the last 5 hours since the record high have been missing, which could indicate the possibility of sensor failure. Final record reports are subject to quality control review before they are certified.

Meanwhile, the NWS also reports that numerous other heat records were set or tied today in Nevada and Southern and Central California:
THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT LONG BEACH AIRPORT TODAY WAS 111 DEGREES  
AT 109 PM PDT. THAT TIED THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE EVER RECORDED AT
LONG BEACH AIRPORT...WHICH WAS SET ON OCTOBER 15TH 1961. IT ALSO SET
A NEW RECORD FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER...ECLIPSING THE OLD RECORD
OF 110 DEGREES SET ON SEPTEMBER 26TH 1963.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT LOS ANGELES AIRPORT TODAY WAS 105 DEGREES
AT 1130 AM PDT. THAT TIED THE DAILY RECORD WHICH WAS SET IN 1963.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT BURBANK AIRPORT TODAY WAS 110 DEGREES. THAT
BROKE THE DAILY RECORD OF 104 DEGREES SET IN 1963.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE IN WOODLAND HILLS AT PIERCE COLLEGE TODAY
WAS 111 DEGREES. THAT BROKE THE DAILY RECORD OF 107 DEGREES SET IN
1993.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE IN OXNARD AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
OFFICE TODAY WAS 100 DEGREES. THAT BROKE THE DAILY RECORD
OF 99 DEGREES SET IN 1963.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT SANTA BARBARA AIRPORT WAS 100 DEGREES
TODAY. THAT BROKE THE DAILY RECORD OF 99 DEGREES SET IN 1970.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT SANTA MARIA AIRPORT WAS 105 DEGREES. THAT
BROKE THE DAILY RECORD OF 99 DEGREES SET IN 1917.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT PASO ROBLES AIRPORT TODAY WAS 108 DEGREES.
THAT BROKE THE DAILY RECORD OF 105 DEGREES SET IN 1963.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT LANCASTER AIRPORT TODAY WAS 103 DEGREES.
THAT TIED THE DAILY RECORD WHICH WAS SET IN 2003.

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT PALMDALE AIRPORT TODAY WAS 102 DEGREES. THAT
TIED THE DAILY RECORD WHICH WAS SET IN 2003.

THE FOLLOWING HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORDS FOR THIS DATE WERE BROKEN OR TIED

HIGH PREVIOUS YEAR OF
LOCATION TEMPERATURE RECORD PREVIOUS RECORD

RECORD BROKEN

SANTA ROSA 104 103 1963
SAN FRANCISCO DOWNTOWN 93 92 1984
OAKLAND INTL A/P 96 95 1958
MOFFETT FIELD 94 92 1999
SALINAS AIRPORT 102 101 1970

RECORD TIED

SFO INTL AIRPORT 96 96 1958
SANTA CRUZ 103 103 1970

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 94 DEGREES WAS SET AT RENO TAHOE AIRPORT NV TODAY.
THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 93 SET IN 2009.
Original post:
Now that Mid Atlantic temperatures have retreated from recent record levels, the focus of attention in the Endless Summer of 2010 has shifted to the West Coast. The National Weather Service reported shortly after noon local time today that Los Angeles had already achieved its hottest temperature since records began in 1877. The temperature of 113° in downtown Los Angeles broke the old record of 112° set on June 26, 1990:
THE HIGH TEMPERATURE IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES 
REACHED 113 DEGREES AT 1215 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON.
THAT IS THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE EVER RECORDED IN
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1877. THIS
ALSO BREAKS THE RECORD FOR THE DAY OF 106 SET IN 1963.
IT IS STILL POSSIBLE THAT IT WILL GET HOTTER TODAY
SO A RECORD TEMEPERATURE REPORT WILL BE ISSUED ONCE
IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR
TODAY HAS BEEN REACHED.
At 1 pm PDT, the temperature at downtown Los Angeles was 112°, but the reports for the subsequent 2 hours were missing.

As shown on the map, the heat has extended well offshore, with the station at Avalon on Santa Catalina Island reporting 103° at 1 pm PDT.

Records were also set or tied in Southern California on Sunday (old record in parentheses):
Lancaster       101 (tie, 2009)
San Luis Obispo 104 (102, 1978)
Image (click to enlarge): Southern California regional surface temperatures at 2 pm PDT, September 27, 2010, from MesoWest

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