SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — It has been another week of scorching temperatures as a ridge of high pressure held strong over the western United States with impacts felt in Southern California. This has led to more heat alerts across all of inland San Diego County as temperatures exceed normal by 10 to 15 degrees at times, depending on how far east you are from the coast. Marine layer clouds and onshore flow has helped keep the coast the most comfortable and mild place in the state, although in most cases the coast will still see afternoon high temperatures exceed normal by about 5 degrees.
High pressure aloft is encouraging a lack of clouds inland and dry conditions as each afternoon compounds and traps heat close to the surface. Summer temperatures would already be quite warm on average, so adding an extra 10 to 15 degrees has led to a long-duration trend of excessive and dangerous heat, especially toward local hiking trails across local mountains and deserts.
Excessive Heat Warnings will expire for the inland valleys and mountains at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday. This has been prompted by afternoon temperatures peaking between the 90s to 105 degrees for much of the week. The Excessive Heat Warning for the desert will hold on for one more day. It will expire at 9:00 p.m. Friday. Peak heat will remain in the range of 112 to 120 degrees.
On the flip side, the coast will hold steady in the 70s due to the repeating marine layer and patchy fog as we roll into the weekend.
Some relief can be expected across San Diego County and the state as a whole as this ridge moves east into the weekend and early next week. Temperatures will begin dipping and return close to average, but likely still exceed it by a few degrees, into the start of next week.
This weekend will also trigger the arrival of some monsoonal moisture, meaning thunderstorms are a possibility as well. The more favorable location will be the mountains and desert on Saturday by the afternoon and evening hours. There is a slight chance for storm activity over the inland valleys on Saturday.
San Diego County offers designated "cool zones" for people to cool off in a safe, air-conditioned space. For a full list of locations, including libraries, community centers, and other locations, click here.
- 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. But DO NOT give them fluids to drink. A person with heatstroke may not be able to swallow. Fluids could run down their tracheas 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.
- Stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler. Do not rely on electric fans for cooling if temperatures exceed 90 degrees.
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
- Drink plenty of water (avoid alcohol and sugary drinks) and don’t wait until you are thirsty.
- Take cool showers.
- Never leave a child, elderly person, or pet unattended in a car.
- Keeping pets cool in hot weather.
- Avoid unnecessary hard work or activities outside during the hottest part of the day.
- Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and wear a wide-brim hat if you need to be in the sun.
- Avoid using the oven to cook.
- Keep your pets indoors if the temperature is lower inside.
- Exercise pets in the early morning hours or early evening to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat. Avoid strenuous runs or hikes.
- Keep your pets’ water supply in a tip-proof container, always topped off, and be sure it stays cool (pets will not drink water that is too hot).
- Consider a misting system to keep the outdoor areas cooler.
- Be sure your pet has shade ALL DAY if they are outside. Remember, the sun’s position changes during the day.
- Do not take your pets for car trips unless necessary. A car can heat up very quickly. On an 85-degree day, a car can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes and soar upward even with the windows down an inch or two.
- Don’t take your dogs for walks on the hot pavement. If it is too hot for you to walk barefoot, then don’t make your dogs do it either.
- Consider adding a child’s wading pool for your dog. Many dogs will keep cool by “taking a dip.”
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