Updated at 7:21 p.m. Aug. 16, 2016
An intense summer heat wave kept most of San Diego County sweltering for the fourth straight day Tuesday, with a few seaside areas getting a modicum of relief in advance of a slow return to more temperate conditions expected across the region later this week.
The stubborn hot spell, combined with stiff, gusty winds and low humidity levels, prompted the National Weather Service to extend a previously issued “red flag” wildfire warning by 24 hours, until 9 p.m. Thursday. The alert indicates imminent potential for “extreme fire behavior.”
While some coastal locales — including Del Mar, Oceanside Harbor and Point Loma — enjoyed a cool-down from Monday, with afternoon temperatures in the mid-70s, other areas a bit farther from the ocean were again stuck with highs in the 80s and low 90s, forecasters reported.
Thermometer readings ranged from the low 90s to 105 degrees in the inland valleys, climbed into the upper 80s in the mountains and reached 112 and 114 in the desert towns of Borrego Springs and Ocotillo Wells.
The toasty weather brought about heat records in several communities, including Alpine, where the mercury hit 105, exceeding the prior Aug. 16 high mark of 101. El Cajon and Ramona each topped out at 104, surpassing their prior milestones of 102 and 103.
Authorities advised the public to guard against potentially serious heat- related ailments by staying hydrated; avoiding unnecessary outdoor labor; checking on neighbors and relatives, especially the elderly; and making sure to never leave children, seniors or pets in parked cars, which can quickly become death traps when temperatures are high.
A gradual cooling trend is expected to kick in over the second half of the workweek, meteorologists said.
— City News Service
