400,000 Mob Southland Beaches : Summer-Like Conditions Will Surrender to Cooler Weather

The Santa Ana conditions that have made mid-February seem more like mid-summer in Southern California are going away, and forecasters say that more normal winter weather should be returning, starting today.

Along with the return of cooler temperatures, coastal areas and inland valleys can expect fog this morning and hazy sunshine this afternoon.

As if to say goodby to the unseasonable weather, huge crowds flocked to beaches between Zuma and San Pedro, Los Angeles County lifeguards reported. The beach areas were “amazingly crowded,” with more than 400,000 people taking advantage of an 80-degree day.

Return of the Smog

Smog also returned to the Los Angeles Basin. The South Coast Air Quality Management District said that levels considered unhealthful for sensitive people were reported in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, San Gabriel and Pomona valleys, and in the Riverside and San Bernardino area.

The National Weather Service said that the high today in Los Angeles should be 68 to 70, and the Sunday night low in the upper 40s and low 50s.

Monday should be even cooler, with highs 65 to 68 and lows Monday night 46 to 50.

The beaches should be less hospitable today, with high temperatures expected only in the mid-60s to low 70s.

Fair in Mountains

Southern California mountain areas should be fair Sunday with variable high clouds. Highs will be from 55 to 65 and lows in the 20s and 30s. It will be breezy and cooler Monday, with highs of 47 to 50.

The desert areas should be fair through Monday with occasional high clouds. It is expected to be breezy with highs today ranging from 65 to 75 in the high desert and 77 to 87 in the low desert. Low temperatures of 30 to 40 are forecast for the high desert, and the 40s in the low desert.