With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Downtown LA had 2nd hottest February on record
In this file photo, Joe Carrillo tries his catch and release fly fishing at the Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Last month was the second warmest February on record and drier than anticipated, spoiling hopes of drought-busting rain predicted due to the El Niño weather pattern.
(
Damian Dovarganes/AP
)
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show February 2016 was the second hottest on record after February 1995.
(
NOAA
)
Downtown Los Angeles just had its second hottest February on record, falling just four tenths of a degree short of the previous record set in 1995, according to the National Weather Service.
The average temperature last month was 64.9 degrees. The average for February 1995 was 65.3 degrees.
"This is definitely a little surprise given that we have a record-breaking El Niño currently ongoing in the central Pacific. We were anticipating that February would probably be our best chance of getting some meaningful rainfall," said Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist with the weather service.
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show February 2016 was the second hottest on record after February 1995.
(
NOAA
)
Support for LAist comes from
Forecasts of heavy rainfall brought on by the El Niño weather pattern have gone mostly unrealized, with Southern California seeing unusually dry, warm weather instead.
In fact, this February saw an all-time record for maximum temperature — that's the average of daytime highs over the course of the month.
The new record for average maximum temperature is 77.5 degrees. The previous record was 75.6, set in February 1954.
A change in the weather later this week could bring some much needed rain across the state.
Munroe told KPCC a system coming into southwestern California could bring rain to the Central Coast by Friday evening or Saturday morning. The bulk of precipitation is expected late Saturday into Sunday, with early estimates of half an inch to an inch, Munroe said.
The storm this weekend could also be the first in a series, with long-range models showing several possible heading into next week.
Downtown L.A. has tallied about 5 inches of rain since October. In a normal year, that amount would be more than double.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past.
Best of LAist