California – Patchy fog curls through East LA this morning, softening headlights and leaving a faint dampness on sidewalks as residents wake to warm December air. The quiet scene hides a more serious issue overhead: stagnant weather has trapped fine particulates, triggering a mandatory No-Burn Ban for millions across the South Coast Air Basin.
According to the South Coast AQMD, the Air Quality Alert remains in effect through today, restricting the use of all indoor and outdoor wood-burning fireplaces, fire pits, pellets, and manufactured logs. Models show elevated particulate levels across LA County, especially in inland neighborhoods where the fog mixes with trapped smoke. Anyone with asthma or sensitive lungs should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
Conditions turn warmer by Tuesday and Wednesday as skies clear and highs rise toward 80°F, an unusual stretch of late-December heat. After all, it only takes a stable air mass and light winds for smog to settle over the LA Basin. Residents should keep windows closed during peak pollution hours and rely on air conditioning or purifiers instead of swamp coolers that draw outside air.
Meteorologists are watching for a small pattern shift Wednesday as light offshore flow returns. While this brings clearer skies, it can also prolong pollutant buildup before marine air returns later in the week. Visibility may improve, but air quality could remain unhealthy in pockets of the San Gabriel Valley and eastern basin.
For now, avoid any wood burning and check neighborhood-level air readings before planning workouts or outdoor chores. Sensitive groups—including children and older adults—should take extra care.
Five-Day Outlook (Los Angeles / East LA)
• Today: Fog early, then sunny. High 79.
• Tonight: Clear, low 54.
• Tuesday: Sunny, high 80.
• Wednesday: Sunny, high 81.
• Thursday: Sunny, high 81.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, high 77.
