Extreme Heat Warning holds San Diego County through Thursday as SDG&E weighs power shutoffs
The National Weather Service warning runs through 8 p.m. Thursday, with valley highs near 106 and nights stuck in the 70s. The county's Cool Zones are open, and possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs run through today.
SAN DIEGO: San Diego County entered the fourth day of an Extreme Heat Warning on Monday, with the National Weather Service keeping the warning in effect from 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, through 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, for coastal and inland areas of the county. Forecasters say valley highs could reach the upper 90s to 106, the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills could run in the mid-90s to 104, and the coast could see the mid-80s to low 90s.
The weekend's peak has passed but the danger has not. Overnight lows are expected to stay mostly in the 70s through Tuesday, giving the body little chance to cool down, and the National Weather Service's San Diego office says gradual cooling may not start until around Friday, Oct. 9. The NWS Los Angeles office called it "a major and long lasting heat wave" that would last through all of next week with dangerously hot temperatures.
Power shutoffs on the table through today
The combination of extreme heat and Santa Ana winds has raised the possibility of Public Safety Power Shutoffs for some SDG&E customers through Oct. 5. The utility is monitoring conditions and may activate shutoffs if wildfire risk increases; its PSPS dashboard posts real-time information on potentially affected communities. Residents are urged to charge phones, flashlights and medical devices, cool homes early in the day, and have a communication plan with family and neighbors.
Where to go
The county's Cool Zones, including 33 branch libraries and community centers, are open as air-conditioned refuges during the heat event, and the county's website carries a full list with an interactive map. Residents can also sign up for emergency alerts at AlertSanDiego.org. The county advises limiting outdoor activity during the hottest hours, drinking water throughout the day, and never leaving children, older adults or pets in vehicles.
Hot, dry and windy conditions raise the chance of fast-moving wildfires. The county urges residents to avoid activities that can spark fires, secure trailer chains, dispose of cigarettes safely, and keep household emergency go-kits ready.
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