Summer Heat, Smog Sneak Back to Area for a Surprise Curtain Call

And you thought summer was over!

The calendar says it ended two weeks ago, but summer came back with a vengeance Thursday, spewing a double whammy of searing heat and wilting smog.

A mild Santa Ana wind condition drove temperatures into the mid-90s around much of Orange County. Beach temperatures hovered in the mid- to high 70s. Although the air quality was deemed “unhealthful” in most places, no smog alerts were issued.

Today, however, heat haters can rejoice and heat lovers can mourn. Cooler temperatures were expected as the Santa Ana winds ease.

Weather forecasters said today is expected to be hazy and cooler, with highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s. Morning fog and low clouds at the coast should burn off by late morning.

A high-pressure system moving eastward will create the cooling trend today, bringing back the onshore airflow that carries the beaches’ lower temperatures inland. Santa Ana winds bring heat by creating the opposite air flow--hot, inland air pressing toward the shore.

High temperatures around Orange County on Thursday ranged from 74 degrees in Laguna Beach and 77 in Newport Beach to 94 in Santa Ana, 95 in Fullerton and 99 in Mission Viejo. Mercury in Anaheim soared to 95 degrees, shy of the county record of 104 for an Oct. 4, set in 1953.

“It was really hot and humid,” said salesman Kevin Pham, who spent Thursday pacing the hot asphalt of the lot at Wondries Toyota of Anaheim. “It really bothered me. And business was down. People just don’t want to come out and get into the cars when they’re so hot and uncomfortable.”