A brutal heat wave will overtake San Diego County and the rest of Southern California this week, sending temperatures into the triple digits in some areas through Labor Day weekend.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures spike to just under 100 degrees on the coast and soar past 100 degrees inland and in the deserts. There will be little relief overnight with temperatures remaining in the 70s along the coast and warmer inland.
"We're going to see several days here where temperatures are about 6 to 12 degrees above average, even at the coast and inland valleys," NBC 7 weathercaster Ashley Matthews said.
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Temperatures could be the hottest of the summer, so far, the NWS said.
NBC 7 Meteorologist Sheena Parveen said this heat wave will be a long one.
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Tuesday “will be hotter than yesterday, then, tomorrow will be hotter than today,” she said. “Then, the weekend will be even hotter.”
An excessive heat warning means extreme temperatures could increase the risk for heat-related illness, especially for people working or participating in activities outside. Residents are urged to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms wherever possible and check on relatives and neighbors. Never leave children and pets unattended in vehicles as inside temperatures could reach lethal digits in minutes, the NWS said.
The extreme heat and low humidity could create elevated fire weather conditions as well, the NWS said.
San Diego County will have dozens of "Cool Zones" open for residents to escape the extreme heat. Find a list of locations here.