Why Woodland Hills is hotter than other parts of Los Angeles – NBC Los Angeles

While the scorching heat of September brings sweltering temperatures to most Southern California neighborhoods, no neighborhood knows the heat better than Woodland Hills.

After the National Weather Service issued a heat warning for the western San Fernando Valley neighborhood through next Monday, temperatures rose to as high as 48 degrees Celsius for area residents and workers on Friday.

“It’s a bit much right now,” said Kandace Wharry, who lives in Woodland Hills, with a laugh.

There's a geographic reason why Woodland Hills, also named the hottest neighborhood in all of Los Angeles by The New York Times, regularly tops the “temperature list” when the mercury starts to rise, said Shanna Mendiola, a meteorologist for NBC Los Angeles.

“Woodland Hills is right on the other side of the Santa Monica Mountains. It's kind of like a warm pocket,” Mendiola said.

Unlike other parts of the San Fernando Valley, the mountains perfectly block the ocean breezes that flow inland from Malibu.

“It has to make its way through the mountains. And by the time it gets here, the air will be hot,” said the meteorologist.

An air quality alert has also been issued in Woodland Hills and other parts of the valley due to elevated levels of ozone, the predominant pollutant in summer.

Ozone air pollution can cause respiratory problems, including difficulty breathing, asthma attacks and lung damage. Children, older adults and people with asthma or COPD may be more sensitive to the health effects of ozone, according to the National Weather Service.