Extreme Heat Will Continue to Bake Southern California’s Inland Communities Through Next Week

Extreme heat will continue to bake desert and mountain areas in southern California, including San Diego County, through at least Thursday night, forecasters said Sunday.

Highs will potentially hit 120 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.

“Areas west of the mountains will see a few degrees of cooling Sunday before the high strengthens by Tuesday and Wednesday, which will bring the hottest days of the week to the region,” the NWS said.

Desert and mountain conditions will include clear and sunny skies, with highs in the upper 90s and triple digits throughout the week.

Officials advised residents to “drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.”

San Diego County officials also advised residents to keep their pets indoors, so long as the temperature is lower inside.

Other advice for keeping pets safe with punishing heat waves includes:

• Exercising animals in early morning or evening to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat, and also skipping strenuous runs or hikes.
• Keeping pets’ water supply in a tip-proof container, and making sure the dish is always topped off and stays cool (as pets won’t drink water that is too hot).
• If possible, installing a misting system to keep outdoor areas cooler.
• Making certain that animals, if they are outside, are constantly in a shaded area.
• Avoiding taking pets on car trips without air-conditioning unless absolutely necessary, as a vehicle can quickly heat up (on an 85-degree day, a car can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes, even with the windows down).
• Avoiding walking dogs on hot pavement.
• Allowing dogs to use child’s wading pools to keep cool.

Coastal regions will be mostly spared throughout the week, with lows around 70 and highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s.

Highs Monday in San Diego County will be 73 to 78 near the coast, 79 to 82 inland, 82 to 86 in the western valleys, 93 to 98 near the foothills, 96 to 106 in the mountains and 119 to 124 in the deserts.

The surf forecast includes a high-risk rip current, with surf height from 3 to 5 feet and a south swell from 200 degrees.

Updated at 6:40 a.m., Monday, July 8, 2024

City News Service contributed to this report.