California faces summerlike spring heat wave

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Forecasters are warning of unseasonable heat up and down California as a strong ridge of high pressure continues to build across the West. Record or near-record highs are likely Thursday in many areas, with gusty Santa Ana winds thrown into the mix in Southern California. The National Weather Service says temperatures topped 80 degrees before 9 a.m. at some locations. The heat is predicted to persist through Friday before dramatic cooling during the weekend brings a chance of precipitation early next week, including mountain snow showers. The Sacramento weather office says the outlook for mid-April and beyond favors a continued warmer-than-normal temperature pattern.