San Diego

Triple-Digit Heat Possible Inland, Likely in Foothills

Most of the region is under a heat advisory Monday with temperatures between 95 and 105 in the forecast.

San Diego County was under a Red Flag Warning Monday as triple-digit heat was likely in the foothills and possible in the inland valleys.

The warning is effective from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. 

Homeowners should not use metal blades while doing garden work like weed wacking, which could potentially spark a fire, warned Jason McBroom, the fire marshall for Alpine Fire.

"I can't believe the heat today," said Kathy Buday, who lives in Alpine.

With strong winds and humidity in the single digits, any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.

"All you need is that one spark," said McBroom. "What we're going to try to do is re-educate homeowners and let them know, no fireworks, no open sources of ignition where anything could happen."

Most of the region was already under a heat advisory Monday with temperatures between 95 and 105 in the forecast.

Residents in East County are bracing for three days of intense heat, with temperatures already in the triple digits on Monday. Scorching weather is forecast to continue through Wednesday.

In Julian, temperatures are expected to reach 93 degrees and in Borrego it could get as hot as 118 degrees.

It's so hot that, John Lynch, scoots his dog Kinicky around in a grocery cart so his paw won't burn from walking outside.

"It gets too hot on the street," said Lynch, a resident of Julian. "Especially today, with black asphault."

As of 10:30 a.m., winds in the mountains and deserts were around 10 mph, gusting between 15 to 23 mph.

β€œWe’re basically sitting in a dry dome,” said NBC 7 Meteorologist Jodi Kodesh, referring to the lack of water vapor over the state of California.

Wildfire danger is amplified in these conditions, Kodesh said.

After 5 p.m., sustained winds will be 20 mph+, with isolated gusts of 40 mph. 

β€œThe heat, the dry weather and the gusty conditions, it’s going to elevate our fire danger today and tomorrow with better conditions Wednesday,” she said.

Red flag warnings were also in place across greater Los Angeles due to the dry winds flowing onshore. Gusts nearing 45 mph are predicted in some areas. Humidity levels as low as 3 percent are possible in the Antelope Valley in northern LA County, where a temperature record of 108 degrees was set Sunday.

An excessive heat warning was issued by the NWS through 9 p.m. for desert communities east and northeast of downtown San Diego.

Temperatures from 114 to 120 are expected in Borrego Springs as well as Banning, Palm Desert and Palm Springs.

The elderly, children, and those unaccustomed to excessive heat will be most susceptible to the heat, the NWS warned.

Under an excessive heat warning, residents should know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It’s suggested that you wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

Cooler temperatures are expected to bring relief from the hot, dry weather later in the week.

Temperatures will drop into the lower 70s along the coast by the week’s end.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us