Temperatures will creep up to near triple digits in parts of San Diego County on Monday as a five-day heat wave continues to bake San Diego.
The heat wave has arrived a bit earlier than usual in the soon-to-be summer season.
“This is a weather pattern that would typically occur in late June or early July,” NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh explained. “This year, it’s early. Temperatures over the next several days will be 10 to 20 degrees above average.”
To that end, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat advisory for San Diego County, in effect from 11 a.m. Saturday to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
The NWS said temperatures could reach a high of 98 to 106 degrees on Sunday and increase to 100 to 110 degrees Monday through Wednesday.
The multi-day heat wave will bring with it the potential for heat-related illnesses.
"The excessively hot weather will pose a danger to human health," said James Brotherton, National Weather Service Meteorologist. "We're concerned about people who are outside for extended periods of time and day after day after day the heat builds up and our bodies can't tolerate that extreme heat."
Kodesh said that people need to exercise caution when they are outside this week. Mountain areas are expected to hit the high 90s and deserts could reach 118 degress.
Kodesh said that heat exhaustion and stroke could be caused by thinking a fan is adequete for cooling when it isn't.
“People can go from feeling hot to heat stroke, without much time passing at all," she said. "It is imperative to keep an eye on those that are susceptible, like children, elderly, or people that are sick.”
Here are some tips on how to beat the #heat! #cawx pic.twitter.com/wlO2QFFfcK
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) June 15, 2017
For times of extreme heat like this, San Diego's designated "cool zones," often established at local libraries or recreation centers, provide respite. Here's a current list of cool zones operating across the county.
The NWS said the heat wave might continue beyond Wednesday – maybe even through the end of next week. The NWS said there would also be an excessive heat warning for San Diego’s deserts, including areas like Borrego Springs and Banning, in effect from 11 a.m. Friday until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
"Temperatures will peak Tuesday and Wednesday, then we may see a slight dip in temperatures in the latter part of next week," said Zabala.
These conditions also increase the risk of wildfire danger across the county.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) said Friday that the department would increase the number of on-duty firefighting crews, staff and fire apparatus in San Diego due to the hot weather forecast.
“Several years of drought coupled with heavy rains this past winter created significant fuel in the form of underbrush and grass,” the SDFD said. “This fuel, combined with hot temperatures and low humidity, create conditions which are conducive to easily ignited fast-burning wildfires.”
The SDFD said five brush engines carrying four personnel and one water tender would be staffed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. These engines carry between 600 and 1,500 gallons of water. SDFD water tenders carry 3,000 gallons of water and provide water supply to engines at vegetation fires, officials said.
Also, the Metro Zone Emergency Command & Data Center (ECDC) and Air Operations Section staffing will also be increased over the course of the heat wave.
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SDFD Fire Chief Brian Fennessy said officials believe this will be a “very busy summer of fires,” and increased staffing is an important part of the fire department’s plan to combat fire season. This guide offers tips on keeping your family and home safe from fires.
Several communities lost power Sunday, including more than 3,000 people in El Cajon and 4,100 customers in Encinitas earlier in the day. More than 1,300 peope in the Alpine area were without power as of 6 p.m. The estimated restoration time is 9:30 p.m., according to SDG&E.
