Winter Takes Day Off as Summer Heat Takes Over

Get out the beach chairs and grab the tanning lotion. After Wednesday’s 91-degree temperature here--the hottest it’s been on this day since 1954--weather forecasters predicted another round of dry, balmy weather.

A high-pressure ridge combined with weak offshore winds produced a gorgeously classic California day that began at sunrise with rich golden hues and ended with a dazzling sunset.

“We have a high-pressure area that’s fairly strong and has really warmed us up,” said Robb Kaczmarek, a meteorologist with WeatherData, which provides forecasts for The Times. “The same warm weather is expected Thursday.”

Officially, the high in Santa Ana reached a sizzling 91 degrees, which broke a previous record of 90 set on Feb. 7, 1954.

The hot weather will last until Friday, when it might cool down to the mid-70s to mid-80s, Kaczmarek said.

“After Friday, we will have a cooler trend, but nothing really cold through the weekend and no rain,” he said.

While the county’s hot spot Wednesday was Santa Ana, Lake Forest reached 84 degrees while Newport Beach was much cooler at 68. However, just up the coast at Huntington Beach, the mercury reached 80.

In Anaheim, the temperature was 89 degrees, which prompted many people to go outdoors and enjoy the day.

At Disneyland, even Winnie the Pooh was excited because it was not a blustery day. (For those who don’t remember the story, Winnie the Pooh was always saying, “Oh, my. It’s such a blustery day.”)

Michael Conley, a Disneyland spokesman, said thousands of people enjoyed the park under a bright sun that felt like summer.

“The guests loved it,” Conley said.

San Clemente reported temperatures in the low-70s, and lifeguards said the best place to be was near the water, but not in it. Although the air temperatures were warm, the water was a chilly 57 degrees.

“It’s just been a gorgeous day at the beach,” said Pat Caldwell, a San Clemente lifeguard. “The weather is summer-like but without crowds on the beach.”

After experiencing a cold and often foggy summer last year, Huntington Beach Lifeguard Capt. Steve Seim said, “June--isn’t this nice.”

“I got to see the morning and it was a full sunrise with the reds and all the different colors,” Seim said. “We did see more people down here enjoying it on roller-blades and bicycles.”

Seim said a powerful west swell, the largest of the year, brought 4- to 6-foot breakers along the coast, with some 8-foot sets.

“The surfers were out in force and having a good time,” Seim said.