Encinitas residents woke up Tuesday, Aug. 25, to the start of a heat advisory that will keep temperatures dangerously elevated through Saturday evening, Aug. 29, according to the National Weather Service.
The coastal advisory, in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Saturday, covers Encinitas and surrounding beach communities. Inland valleys and mountains face a more serious extreme heat warning over the same period.
The distinction matters.
Encinitas stretches from the shoreline to neighborhoods several miles east, and areas just 5 to 10 miles inland of the beaches are forecast to hit 100 to 110 degrees by Tuesday or Wednesday, with little change through Friday or Saturday, according to the NWS via Patch.
Coastal highs will mostly stay below 90, but overnight lows will not drop below the lower 70s, posing a particular risk for residents without air conditioning whose bodies cannot cool down at night.
Why this heat wave is different
Daytime highs and overnight lows will run 8 to 12 degrees above normal all week. The NWS warned that the lack of nighttime cooling greatly exacerbates heat risk because the body has no window to release accumulated heat stress.
NWS San Diego meteorologist Casey Oswant said Sunday, Aug. 23, that a broad ridge of high pressure centered over the desert Southwest is driving the event. "As we move into the middle and the end of the week, that high pressure system is going to begin to shift west so that we're more under its influence," Oswant said. "That's why we're going to see our warmer conditions Wednesday, Thursday and Friday."
Temperatures are expected to peak Tuesday through Wednesday, with above-average readings continuing through the weekend and into next week.
What residents should do
The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services issued heat guidance directing residents to:
- Stay indoors or in shaded areas during peak heat
- Drink plenty of water
- Never leave children or pets in parked vehicles
- Call 911 immediately if someone shows signs of heatstroke, including dizziness, nausea, confusion or headache
The County of San Diego also advises against relying solely on electric fans when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Instead, find air conditioning, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, take cool showers and limit outdoor activity during the hottest hours.
If someone appears to have heatstroke, the county says to move them to shade and spray them with cool water, but not to give them fluids because they may be unable to swallow safely.
Where to cool down
Free, air-conditioned Cool Zones are open at public libraries, community centers and other sites throughout San Diego County. Residents can find the nearest location at coolzones.org.
Wildfire risk elevated
The heat wave also brings increased wildfire danger. The NWS warned of heightened risk for large, plume-dominated fire behavior away from the coast, though no major wind events are expected this week.
Some cooling may arrive Saturday, but Oswant cautioned that upper 90s will likely persist inland. More noticeable relief could come early next week as the high-pressure ridge shifts east, though forecasters said uncertainty remains.
Residents can visit AlertSanDiego.org for updated heat maps or follow @NWSSanDiego on X for forecast updates.
