Record Day Is Not Much to Sweat Over : Climate: Monday proved to be a low hottest-ever day for July 6, coming in at 94 degrees. The region may be in line for thunderstorms this week.

Wendy McQuom could not believe it when she got the lowdown on the high temperature. “Today’s the hottest day on record?” asked the Burbank woman quizzically as her 13-month-old nephew splashed in his wading pool Monday afternoon. “Nah!”

It was, though. Weather forecasters say the 94 degrees recorded Monday at the Civic Center was the hottest ever for a July 6 in Los Angeles. The warmest previous July 6 had been in 1910 when it hit 93.

“It’s an unusually low record-high for this date,” said meteorologist Rick Dittmann of WeatherData Inc., which provides forecasts for The Times.

“It’s not that high. But it’s still a record. If you want to set a record, today’s the day to do it.”

If ever there was a day to enjoy a “heat wave,” Monday was it.

Thousands took the day off, stretching one more day out of their Independence Day weekend. There was a doubleheader being played at Dodger Stadium. There was a refreshing breeze during the hottest part of the day in most parts of town.

“It’s a good day! A fine day!” exalted Jennifer Sanchez, 16, of Highland Park as she stood at the edge of a Music Center fountain and let its cooling spray wash over her.

MetroRail subway construction worker Jodi Tibbett relaxed during her lunch break beneath a Civic Center shade tree. She was holding an ice cream bar in her left hand and a 20-ounce bottle of glucose drink in her right.

“The temperature is fine,” Tibbett said. “I live in Pomona. That’s where you have record-breaking heat. I’m glad I’m here.”

In Glendale, four teen-age girls took turns dashing through a front-yard water sprinkler at mid-afternoon. But they were not desperately seeking relief from oppressive heat. They were killing time as they waited for a pizza delivery man to arrive.

“I like this weather,” said 16-year-old Elysa Gomez as friends Marlene Pineda, Zuleyka Figueroa and Dafne Barragan nodded in agreement.

Today could be even more to their liking, forecaster Dittmann said.

“It could be even hotter Tuesday,” he said.

High humidity will make it sticky, Dittmann said. The moisture and heat is coming from Hurricane Darby, which on Monday was 250 miles west of the southern tip of Baja and heading northwest, out to sea.

By Wednesday, the Los Angeles area could be in line for thunderstorms.

Some of those enjoying Monday’s weather seemed prepared.

Security officer Gloria Salgado held a blue and white umbrella over her head for shade as she stood guard at a Hill Street construction site.

And Sophie Mitchell, a clerk in the county assessor’s office, held a tiny lace umbrella above her as she walked through the afternoon sunshine at the Civic Center.

It was not much of an umbrella, admitted Mitchell, of Los Angeles.

But then, Monday’s record-breaker was not much of a hot day, either.

Hot Days

A record high temperature for July 6 at the Civic Center was set Monday, although forecasters said the reading of 94 was an unusually low record.

Here is a look at other Civic Center highs for the date: 1992: 94 1991: 86 1990: 85 1989: 89 1988: 86 1987: 79 1986: 80 1985: 70 1984: 84 1983: 82 1982: 83 SOURCE: WeatherData