Stretch of warm weather begins this weekend in Southern California

Southern California is about to launch into another extended stretch of above-average temperatures, beginning with a warm weekend.

Marine layer clouds and patchy fog will help keep temperatures down along the coast this weekend but afternoon highs around the region are expected to increase slightly before making a big jump early next week.

Areas of the San Fernando Valley and the Inland Empire will already be in the mid-90s this weekend but high pressure will heat things up even more on Monday.

“High confidence exists in a warming trend will develop with a hot air mass developing away from the coast,” the National Weather Service said in its forecast for early next week.

The Los Angeles area will remain cooler with highs around 80 degrees through the weekend before approaching 90 degrees on Monday and Tuesday.

Air quality around Southern California is also expected to take a hit, especially in the warmer areas.

Azusa, Rancho Cucamonga, Perris and Banning are among the cities where the air quality rating will be in the “unhealthy” range on Friday.

There was no clear indication that this return to warmer weather would end anytime soon.

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