IN LIKE A LION THE HEAT IS ON IN JUNE.

Byline: ANGIE VALENCIA-MARTINEZ Staff Writer

June gloom? What June gloom?

The sixth month of the year was expected to arrive today with none of the misty haze that forms at dawn -- and helps keep temperatures temperate the rest of the day.

``Who needs the beach?'' Tom Williams said Wednesday as he basked in the heat at Warner Park in Woodland Hills, munching a cold sub and fruits packed in a cooler.

``I get to tan in my own backyard.''

While June traditionally has meteorologists repeating the line ``morning low clouds burning off to hazy afternoon sunshine,'' that weather pattern won't make an appearance at least for a few more days.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict warm sunny weather and clear skies through the weekend, with temperatures in the San Fernando Valley expected to reach the mid-90s.

``It should be a very nice weekend for everybody,'' meteorologist Rich Thompson said, adding that temperatures should be a few degrees cooler today.

While June gloom is nowhere in sight, ``we're not out of the woods yet,'' Thompson said. ``The potential is still there. It's hard to tell.''

Meanwhile, people are heading to the beach, where temperatures will range from the mid-60s to mid-70s -- a contrast to the Antelope Valley and High Desert, where the mercury will hit the triple digits.

``Our air conditioner is broken,'' said Heather Santos while running after her three children in the Woodland Hills park. ``They can't stand to be indoors.''

angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Brianna Szabo, 4, and Kayla Smith, 3, both from Woodland Hills, enjoy the cool ocean Wednesday at Zuma Beach. The water temperature was 56 degrees, with temperatures outside reaching the 70s. Valley residents should expect warm weather as June begins.

(2) Silvana Renau of Calabasas beats the heat during her aqua-fit class at the Calabasas Swim and Tennis Club on Wednesday.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer