Santa Barbara experienced record-breaking heat on Wednesday, and the temperature is not expected to drop until later this week.
The Santa Barbara Airport recorded a temperature of 82 degrees, which beats the previous daily heat record of 81 degrees in 2001.
Santa Maria matched its previous record of 84 degrees, originally set in 2001.
Several more heat records were broken Wednesday across California during the warm winter weather.
Los Angeles International Airport recorded a record high of 87 degrees, breaking the previous record of 84 degrees in 2001.
Hollywood Burbank Airport broke its previous record of 86 degrees in 1995 with a new high of 87 degrees.
Long Beach Airport recorded a new high of 88 degrees, which broke the previous record of 87 degrees from 2001.
Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said Santa Barbara residents can expect more warm temperatures on Thursday but it should cool down by the weekend.
“We are looking for a significant cooldown back to around normal by the weekend,” Kittell said. “We’ll get the temperatures down into the 70s in general for Friday or Saturday, but then another warmup with some more offshore flow for early next week.”
He added that residents should get some relief by the middle of next week with some rain and cooler temperatures in the forecast.
Kittell also warned residents thinking of heading to the beach to be careful of high surf, which is expected to begin Friday and continue throughout the weekend.
“If you do go to the coast to enjoy these warm conditions, make sure you stay near your lifeguard,” Kittell said.
A high surf advisory is in effect through 6 p.m. Saturday with large breaking waves of 10-15 feet expected, and dangerous rip currents, the NWS said.