Temperatures in Del Mar and Solana Beach could reach the mid-80s to lower 90s near the coast and top 100 degrees on higher terrain as an extreme heat warning takes effect Friday, Oct. 2.
The National Weather Service issued the warning for San Diego County coastal areas, effective from 10 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. Rancho Santa Fe, farther inland, may fall under a separate inland valleys warning, which carries even higher expected highs in the upper 90s to 105 degrees.
Overnight lows will stay in the 70s. Relief after dark will be limited.
"This is one of the longer-duration ones that I've seen in my time at this office," National Weather Service Oxnard meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday, Oct. 1. Forecasters said the heat wave could extend into mid-October.
Power shutoff risk
San Diego Gas & Electric is monitoring conditions and may activate Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) if wildfire risk increases, the County of San Diego said in a Thursday press release. The shutoff window runs through Monday, Oct. 5.
SDG&E has notified more than 35,000 customers in foothill and mountain communities that power could be cut as early as Friday morning, Insurance Journal reported. Communities that received notices include Alpine, Ramona, Fallbrook, Julian, Poway and Valley Center, according to Energy News Beat. Del Mar, Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe were not on the published notice list, but SDG&E's PSPS Dashboard updates in real time as conditions change.
A Wind Advisory for San Diego County valleys also takes effect Saturday, Oct. 3, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with east winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. The combination of heat, low humidity and Santa Ana winds raises wildfire risk across the region, the county said.
How to prepare
The county urged residents to charge phones, flashlights and medical devices before any potential outage. Other guidance includes cooling homes early in the day, keeping water on hand and preparing a communication plan with family and neighbors.
County Cool Zones, including 33 branch libraries and community centers, offer air-conditioned spaces during the heat event. Residents can find locations through the county's website.
SDG&E advised customers to use less energy between 4 and 9 p.m. and pre-cool homes by lowering thermostats during morning hours, according to Fox 5 San Diego. The utility also suggested covering windows during the day and opening them at night to let in cooler air.
Extreme heat can cause heat exhaustion or heatstroke, particularly for older adults, children, people with chronic conditions, pregnant individuals and outdoor workers, the county warned. Signs of heat illness include dizziness, nausea, confusion and fainting. Fans alone are not effective when temperatures exceed 90 degrees.
Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at AlertSanDiego.org. Those with access and functional needs can call 2-1-1 for assistance during power shutoff events.
