LOS ANGELES – It may be too warm to wear your favorite holiday sweater this week.

Amid the holiday season, Southern California will experience summer-like weather, with warm and dry conditions expected to last through Wednesday. 

What we know:

The region will experience above-average temperatures as high pressure builds in Southern California. 

Inland communities can expect highs around 81 degrees, while coastal areas will enjoy sunny skies with temperatures reaching 72 degrees. The warmest spots, such as in the Inland Empire, may see temperatures as high as 87 degrees. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest is experiencing heavy rainfall due to an atmospheric river, which is deflecting storms away from Southern California.

Timeline:

Monday and Tuesday:

• Summer-like weather with warm and dry conditions.
• Morning patchy fog followed by afternoon sunshine.
• Inland temperatures around 81 degrees; coastal areas at 72 degrees.

Through Wednesday:

• Continuation of warm and dry weather.
• High pressure maintains above-normal temperatures.

Weekend:

• Gradual decrease in temperatures.
• Shift from offshore to onshore winds.
• Inland temperatures may reach up to 87 degrees before cooling.

What’s next:

By the weekend, a shift from offshore to onshore winds will help bring temperatures down slightly. In addition, no rain is anticipated in the next seven days.

Cats & Comics Rescue, a downtown Upland shop that relies on the sale of comic books and collectibles to support the care of dozens of rescue cats, is recovering from a break-in that occurred early Friday morning. Surveillance footage shows a suspect shattering the front entrance around 5 a.m. and heading directly for the store’s display cases, taking rare comic books, Pokémon cards and other items before fleeing. 

Jeremy Guerra, the shop’s owner, said the financial loss is substantial. While the full scope of the theft is still being assessed, he estimated that the value of stolen comics alone exceeds $5,000. The impact, he said, extends beyond merchandise. The sales of those items help fund the rescue operation located within the same space, covering medical care, food and other essentials for cats awaiting adoption. The shop is currently caring for 22 cats.

“The reason why we do cats and comics is because the cat rescue doesn’t survive alone,” Guerra said. “This is the big part, it’s the comics and card sales, that’s what keeps us alive.”

The shop allows visitors to spend time with the animals for a $5 fee, and all cats are available for adoption at an additional cost that includes vaccinations, spay or neuter services and deworming. The space doubles as a comic store and an animal sanctuary, offering a space where customers can both browse and connect with the cats waiting to be adopted.

After news of the break-in spread, community members began offering support. A mother and daughter arrived with donations of cat food and cash, contributions Guerra described as deeply moving. “When people bring in donations, it does get me teary-eyed, for sure,” he said.

Despite the setback, Guerra said the community’s response has affirmed the shop’s mission. Those who wish to contribute can donate online or provide items such as cat food.

Cats & Comics Rescue remains open daily at 136 E. 9th St. from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Information about supporting the rescue or adopting a cat is available through the shop’s official website.

Jillian Smukler’s reporting contributed to this article.

Officials in California are urging people not to forage for wild mushrooms after a rise in poisoning cases caused at least one death.

The California Poison Control System has identified 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning clustered in northern California, likely resulting from death cap mushrooms, the state’s department of public health said.

The poisoning resulted in severe liver damage in several people, including children, and at least one of the patients may need a liver transplant, the department said.

Death cap mushrooms can easily be mistaken for safe, edible mushrooms because of their similar taste, smell, and appearance.

The confirmed cases happened between mid-November and early December, a rainy season in the region that creates ideal conditions for the deadly variety to grow, mostly near oaks and hardwood trees like pine trees, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said.

Though the cases are mostly in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay area of Northern California, the risk is statewide, the department warned.

“Death cap mushrooms contain potentially deadly toxins that can lead to liver failure,” Dr Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, said in a statement. “Because the death cap can easily be mistaken for edible safe mushrooms, we advise the public not to forage for wild mushrooms at all during this high-risk season.”

The death cap mushroom is never safe to eat, even if it is boiled, dried, frozen or cooked.

Eating the deadly mushrooms can cause watery diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and dehydration within six to 24 hours – and although symptoms may initially wane, severe or fatal liver damage can still occur up to eight days later.

“Only people with extensive training and experience should eat wild mushrooms that they have picked themselves,” Dr Edward Moreno, County of Monterey Health Officer, said in a statement.