Southern California is experiencing a high-temperature wave that is expected to continue scorching the inland areas well into early next week. According to the National Weather Service San Diego, temperatures in the inland valleys will reach the mid-90s to 105 degrees, and the lower deserts are bracing for extreme heat ranging from 108 to 114 degrees. While the valleys look to cool down by about 5 degrees compared to Wednesday, coastal areas will remain within a few degrees of their prior highs, experiencing temperatures in the lower to mid-70s.
A shallow marine layer will, meanwhile, help moderate temperatures near the coast. Forecasters predict a slight deepening of this marine layer through Friday, which should bring coastal low clouds extending into some of the western valleys by then. Area Forecast Discussion notes a weak coastal eddy with low clouds and fog over the coastal waters that might spread more inland overnight into Friday morning. Higher coastal terrain could see visibility drop significantly during this period.
The excessive heat has warranted an Excessive Heat Warning for several regions, including the Coachella Valley, Inland Empire, and San Diego County Deserts, which will remain in effect until 8 PM PDT Monday. Furthermore, a Heat Advisory is also in place for the Riverside and San Bernardino County Mountains and the San Diego County Mountains. These heat-related advisories stress the importance of staying hydrated and out of the sun during peak temperatures and showcase the potential for severe heat impacts on the population and the power grid.
The marine layer's slight increase later this week is also expected to raise humidity levels, which might provide some relief, especially in areas west of the mountains. However, the inland areas will still face well above average high temperatures, with minimum afternoon humidity levels in the mountains and deserts predicted to fall to 10 to 15 percent through Monday. Consequently, the heightened temperatures and low humidity continue to pose a risk for wildfires. According to NWS San Diego, A gradual cooling trend is expected for much of next week, which could assist in fire prevention and relief efforts.
Residents and travelers in affected regions are urged to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses and to be mindful of their water usage. It is also recommended to keep a close eye on local weather updates as the situation develops. Stay tuned to local alerts and plan to adjust outdoor activities to stay safe during this excessive heat period.
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