San Diego is starting Thursday with fog and temperatures in the mid-60s, but the coastal calm is about to give way to a dangerous, long-lasting heat wave. The city is forecast to reach 83 degrees today, with beach highs around 90 Friday and Saturday. Clear skies and unusually warm nights are expected to stick around well into next week.
Extreme Heat Warning Starts Friday Morning
The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for San Diego County coastal areas from 10 a.m. Friday, October 2, through 8 p.m. Thursday, October 8, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters expect temperatures from the mid-80s to lower 90s near the coast, with inland coastal communities and western valleys potentially reaching 100 to 106 degrees.
For the San Diego coast, Friday and Saturday will be the hottest days in the immediate forecast, with highs near 90 degrees. Overnight lows will remain unusually warm, around 73 degrees Friday and Saturday night, limiting relief after sunset.
Foggy Mornings Give Way To Blazing Afternoons
Patchy fog could return after 2 a.m. Friday and linger before 8 a.m., followed by sunny skies and rapidly rising temperatures. Thursday's winds should remain light from the northwest at up to 10 mph, while Friday through Sunday could bring stronger easterly winds near and below the coastal mountain slopes.
The NWS San Diego forecast discussion says those winds may gust between 30 and 40 mph in parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. The forecast lists 0 inches of precipitation for its displayed period. The heat wave is expected to continue Sunday through Wednesday, though some coastal and western valley areas could be slightly cooler Monday and Tuesday.
Warm Nights Raise Heat Risks
The weather service warns that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events. Residents are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and check on relatives and neighbors.
Children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles, where temperatures can become lethal within minutes. The warning remains in effect through Thursday evening, so the heat will be more than a one-day inconvenience.
