6 



uncommon in late August and September for the pressure gradient 

 to become so steep over the water adjacent to Point Conception 

 that winds of Force 4, 5, and even 6 prevail for days on end 

 due to this influence. 



Precipitation is usually light and steady when it occurs 

 and does not last more than two or three consecutive days, 

 except under unusual meterologic conditions. Cumulus clouds, 

 although rare over the Los Angeles area, frequently build to 

 considerable heights over the coastal mountains during the 

 fall and spring months. Thunderstorms occur less than three 

 times a year in Los Angeles and have never been recorded 

 over Santa Monica Bay. Most precipitation comes from cold 

 frontal activity, as warm fronts are normally not extensive 

 enough to reach this latitude with any intensity. 



In Santa Monica Bay, climatic characteristics are even 

 milder than that of the bordering coastal areas. The highest, 

 lowest, and average temperatures are shown in Figure 1 for 

 coastal stations, and for the San Pedro Channel in Figure 2. 

 The annual range at the coast is a moderate 23.3°F, and the 

 mean minimum and maximum temperatures have a spread of only 

 180F. The lowest temperature ever recorded along the Los 

 Angeles coastal region was 28.2°F at San Pedro on January 23, 

 1937. Temperatures higher than 87°F have been recorded for 

 every month of the year, and temperatures of 90°F or higher 

 have occurred at one time or another in 9 of the 12 months. 

 On the water temperatures are even milder. In nearly 30 

 years of operation, the Catalina Island Steamship Line has 



