Temperature Map: It's 75 in Santa Monica, 100+ in the Valley

See a larger version of this map, which shows more of the L.A. here, here

See a larger version of this map, which shows more of the L.A. here, here
A reader took a look at Weather Underground's Interactive Radar and Weather Station map and overlayed these red arrows pointing out the differences in temperatures around the Southland. He had one word to say: "Wow."

The differences are not so surprising, but still are fascinating to look at it. You can thank the them to a very strong high pressure ridge to the East, prompting heat, and chilly ocean waters to the West combined with a lack of the heat-gifting Santa Ana winds keeping the coast cooler, according to a National Weather Service spokesperson.

But don't get too excited about that 66 degree marking in Santa Monica, unless you're going to take a dip -- it's a sea surface temperature. Still, temps in the 70s on a day like this is nothing to complain about.

If you're in the Vally where temperatures are exceeding 100 (the same is expected on Wednesday), there are some cooling centers available. Here are the locations offered by the city of Los Angeles, via Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office, which did not state hours of operation:

· Canoga Park Senior Citizen Center, 7326 Jordan Avenue, Canoga Park
· North Hollywood Senior Citizen Center, 11430 Chandler Boulevard, North Hollywood
· Sepulveda Rec Center/Mid-Valley Senior Citizen Center, 8801 Kester Avenue, Panorama City
· Sunland Park Senior Citizen Center, 8640 Fenwick Street, Sunland
· Sylmar Recreation Center, 13109 Borden Avenue, Sylmar
· Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Senior Citizen Center, 5040 Van Nuys Boulevard, Sherman Oaks
· Wilkinson Senior Citizen Center, 8956 Vanalden Avenue, Northridge

Locations in Burbank, with stated hours of operation:

·The Joslyn Adult Center (1301 W. Olive) will operate from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Residents 55 and older are encouraged to visit the center and seek relief from the heat.

·The Buena Vista Library (300 N. Buena Vista Street) will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the Central Library (110 N. Glenoaks Blvd) will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.