LA's New Heat Record: 113 Degrees

Heat records melted in a scorching day across southern California yesterday, with downtown Los Angeles recording the highest temperature since records began in 1877. The National Weather Service's thermometer hit 113º around noon before breaking down, and officials say the day's true temperature could have been even higher, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The region's heat wave follows a summer of record low temperatures. "Five days ago, we saw some of the lowest daytime temperatures we've seen in 50 years. And today was a once-in-a-century day," said a NASA climatologist. "So anybody that thinks Southern California doesn't have weather, we definitely have had a major exhibition by Mother Nature in the last five days."
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