San Diego, CA
Heat wave in San Diego County could bring record highs this week
What to Know
- The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory from Monday at 10 a.m. through Friday at 8 p.m. for the coast and valley communities
- An Extreme Heat Watch will also go into effect Thursday morning and last through 8 p.m. Friday for our mountains and deserts
- By the middle of the week, daytime highs could be 20 to 30 degrees above normal, with the likelihood of breaking both daily and monthly records.
It’s hard to believe we’re still in the final days of winter as we’re expected to reach record high temperatures this week for most of San Diego County.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory from 10 a.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Friday for the city of San Diego and the valley areas of San Diego County, the NWS said. An extreme heat watch will take effect at 10 a.m. Thursday until 8 p.m., Friday.
“Not only are temperatures exceptionally warm, given the time of year, but the duration of prolonged heat for widespread locations is what is making this an unprecedented heat wave, especially for this time of year,” said the NWS. “By Thursday, it is possible that there will be a few locations possibly breaking monthly records, and then again on Friday, as temperatures will be at their hottest.”
A Heat Advisory remains in effect for the coastal areas and valleys from 10 AM Monday to 8 PM Friday. An Extreme Heat Watch is now in effect for the mountains and low deserts from 10 AM Thursday to 8 PM Friday, the NWS said.
Temperatures of 80 to 90 degrees are expected near the coast, and 100 to 105 degrees inland.
A weak offshore flow will bring winds of up to 20 mph Sunday through Tuesday. This week, winds will be confined to the usual passes and canyons with peak gusts around 25-35 mph.
“The big story is how this will begin our warming trend as offshore flow combines with the upper level ridge amplifying off the West Coast,” the NWS said.
The agency said Friday is forecast to be the hottest day of the week, with high temperatures around 30 degrees above normal away from the coast, and around 20 degrees above normal at the beaches.
Highs will reach 109-112 degrees in the deserts.
An early-season heat wave has the potential to break monthly high temperature records, especially in the mountains and deserts, the NWS said.
Some San Diegans took in the nice weather with a hike at Cowles Mountain. While locals are welcoming the warm temperatures, they can be dangerous. NBC 7’s M.G. Perez shows us how some outdoor enthusiasts are staying safe.
Tips to help keep cool and safe:
County officials offered tips on how people and their families can stay safe:
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Stay out of the sun
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing
- Avoid using the oven to cook
- Limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening
- Take refuge in air- conditioned spaces if possible
- Check in on potentially at-risk friends, relatives and neighbors
Responding to Signs of Heatstroke or Heat Exhaustion:
First and foremost, if you find someone who is suffering from symptoms of heatstroke or heat exhaustion — dizziness, nausea, confusion, headache — call 9-1-1 and start cooling them. DO NOT give them fluids to drink. A person with heatstroke may not be able to swallow. Fluids could run down their trachea into their lungs and make it hard for them to breathe.
After calling 9-1-1, start cooling the person by moving them into the shade, spraying them with cool water and fanning. Place them in a cool shower if they are alert, monitor their body temperatures and continue cooling them.