heatwave SOCAL
Several Bay Area cities broke temperature records for the day during a mid-winter heat wave that continued Tuesday, but San Francisco came just one degree short of tying its record, forecasters said.

"Close, but no cigar," said Diana Henderson, a forecaster with the National Weather Service.

San Francisco high Tuesday was 72 degrees, compared with the record of 73 set in 2006, Henderson said.

The unseasonably warm weather started on the weekend. On Monday, San Francisco's 75-degree high beat the 2006 record for that day by a degree.

Things continued to heat up Tuesday. San Francisco International Airport tied its record of 71, also set in 2006, while the Oakland Airport one-upped its 2006 record of 69 with an even 70 degrees.

San Jose recorded a 76, two degrees over the 2006 record.

Santa Cruz blasted through the 78-degree high set in 2006 when it reached 85 Tuesday.

Salinas Municipal Airport tied its 2006 record of 81 degrees, and Gilroy tied its 2012 record of 78.

Forecasters said the Bay Area can expect slightly cooler temperatures Wednesday with highs in the 60s to lower 70s.