What a difference a few days can make.  This time last week, temperatures were rising along with the humidity here in Media City and throughout SoCal. Triple digits are normal for the Southland in August, but we’ve had such a mild summer that last week’s heat wave was a shock to the system.

It was delight to be greeted by a cool breeze and temperatures in the 60′s rather than the 80s this morning, in the Burbank hills. Sure makes it easier to do those yard chores like raking leave and trimming shrubs. 

The high today in B-town is expected to be around 70, however, the forecast is for warmer temperatures thorough the week. By Thursday and Friday, we should be in the upper 80s and low 90s — just in time for the long Labor Day weekend.

The heat is on in the Southland. At 9 p.m. last night,  it was 80 degrees in Burbank.  It’s going to be seriously hot today, with 80s along the beach, upper 90s in Los Angeles, and over a 100 in Burbank and some valley areas. There’s a good chance we could see some temperature records broken today.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for today through tomorrow for the Southland. The NWS advisory says: “ The combination of the very hot temperatures and slightly increased humidities is expected to produce dangerously high heat index readings for Tuesday through Wednesday evening.”  This means heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps are possible.

Folks are being reminded to take simply precautions like drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun if you can, and check on shut-in relatives and neighbors.

Three designated cooling center locations are posted on the Burbank city website. The hours and phone numbers for the Joslyn Adult Center, Buena Vista Library, and the Central Library are on the site as well. Click here for more information.

We’re finally getting a taste of summer. Temperatures have been in the 80s and 90s all week long. More of the same is being forecast for Burbank this weekend. It might be a good time to make that dash to the beach where it’s going to be a sizzler, too.

Over the next couple of days or so, Santa Monica and Venice will reportedly be basking in 80 degree temps. Those popular beach communities might even hit 90 before Monday morning. Hmm, on second thought, it might be a better idea to hang close to home and check out the local scene, rather than deal with the beach traffic and the big crowds searching for a little sand and surf action.

The weather is doing a serious flip-flop. A few days ago, Burbank was sizzling in triple digit temperatures along with the rest of the valley. Today, the high here in Media City reached only 75. More like a spring day in April, than late July heading into August.

The forecast is calling for low clouds and fog through much of  Tuesday morning — with mostly sunshine in the afternoon. The high is expected to be in the upper 70s-to-mid-80s. 

The cooler temps help save energy and water.  No need to crank the air conditioners or water the yard as often. And that’s really a good thing here in B-town, where officials keep jacking up the utility rates.

Wow, we’re really getting slammed by the summer heat now. After a hot week, the weekend is bringing predictions of 90s in Los Angeles and triple digit temperatures for Burbank and the valleys. Temps are up even in the beach communities like Santa Monica, which could see a high of 95 today.

In the Media City, the high is expected to reach 101 today — it was 90 and soaring at around noon. Tomorrow, more of the same.  Not only is it time to plug in the fans, but crank-up the air conditioners as well.

Now where are those sunglasses? I need them today!  This feels like a real July day in Burbank. Gone are those light breezes, mild temperatures, and overcast skies of the past few weeks.

Here in Media City, the sun is big and bright and the temps are in the upper 80s at 1 p.m.  Sigh, I’m not loving this weather change, but I realize a real Southland summer is going to come sooner or later.

Photo: FLLewis/ A Writer’s Groove — A man takes a late morning walk along Sunset Canyon Drive in Burbank

We’re easing into summer. No blistering 100 degree plus temperatures nor scorching sun beating down on us in Media City. Yesterday, summer officially arrived. On June 21, the summer solstice – considered the longest day of 2010 – we should have been drenched in sunshine. Here in Burbank, we got some low clouds and sun rays, with only a spring-like high of 73.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Roses in bloom in Burbank

This morning at 7 a.m., overcast skies and 61 degree.The forecast is for mid-80s temps today, which is the norm for this time of year.  A nice day to take a stroll and smell the roses.