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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - It may seem early this week as though Southland area weather bypassed spring entirely and went straight from winter to summer, forecasters suggested Sunday.
"High temperatures on Monday will be well above normal, with highs in the 90s across the warmest valleys," the National Weather Service forecasted.
"A ridge of high pressure will continue to strengthen over the West Coast through Monday and these combined factors are causing the warming trend," forecasters said.
Temperatures were expected to rise 10-15 degrees over Sunday's numbers. NWS meteorologist Robbie Munroe told the Los Angeles Times the heat might even break records, including 95 degrees in Woodland Hills, which would far surpass the hottest March 24 there, which was 89 degrees.
Temperatures of 85-90 degrees are forecast for downtown L.A..
"This heat will be of concern as it is occurring fairly early in the season, and people with health concerns or those recreating outdoors may need to take extra precautions during the afternoon hours," forecasters said.
The heat wave could be short-lived, the meteorologists said. A cooling trend was expected to start as soon as Tuesday, with temperatures closer to normal by Thursday, with a drop in temperature of as much as 20 degrees. However, desert and mountains areas of Los Angeles County will remain hot and windy through the week.
A storm system early next week has a slight change of bringing late- March or early April showers to the region.