Why is california so prone to winter heatwaves?

[Weatherdude123]

it wouldve been horrendous if that hurricane reached california. the mountains would intensify the precipitation

[TheDaveMaybe]

The funny thing about coastal southern California is it doesn't really have "seasons" in the traditional sense. I once met someone who described that the reason he loved the climate of Los Angeles so much was because of how it doesn't really have "seasonal" weather, but more like "day-to-day" weather. He said he liked how it can be 80 degrees and sunny in February and the beaches are packed, but it can be 65 degrees and foggy and everyone is wearing jackets at the beach in July.

[Mandy242]

Originally Posted by TheDaveMaybe

The funny thing about coastal southern California is it doesn't really have "seasons" in the traditional sense. I once met someone who described that the reason he loved the climate of Los Angeles so much was because of how it doesn't really have "seasonal" weather, but more like "day-to-day" weather. He said he liked how it can be 80 degrees and sunny in February and the beaches are packed, but it can be 65 degrees and foggy and everyone is wearing jackets at the beach in July.

But these unseasonable temperatures usually don't last long, temps drop dramatically from 80s to 60s once Santa Ana winds weaken in February, and temps rise back to upper 70s and low 80s when marine layer burns off in June and early July. Overall, there are more cool days in February and more warm days in July, that's why southern California only has 2 seasons, cool and warm.

[psyche_da_mike24]

Originally Posted by benshaton

We get high pressure over the Great Basin and the dry air gets compressed as the temps rise 5.5F per 1,000 feet of elevation drop as the air from the desert rushes through the passes. It was 85F today in San Diego, and even warmer in some areas.

The link to this map seems to get updated on a daily basis