The most intense heat wave of the year is expected to begin Wednesday in San Diego County, producing “dangerously hot conditions” that could affect people’s health and significantly increase the risk of wildfires, the National Weather Service said.
The near-record heat, which could reach 107 degrees in Escondido and El Cajon, could also delay the start of some high school football games Friday night because of new rules governing the conditions in which athletes can practice and play.
A excessive heat warning will be in effect for all areas of the county except the coast from 11 a.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Friday. Forecasters said the highest temperatures will occur east of Interstate 15, which is home to about 700,000 people. Temperatures will be in the range of 95 to 105 degrees Wednesday, 100 to 107 degrees Thursday and Friday, and 95 to 103 on Saturday.
A list of the county’s public cooling stations can be found at www.sandiegocounty.gov
After a day at pre-kindergarten, 4 year-old Owen of Santee cooled down from 94-degree heat at the spray playground at Santee Lakes in La Mesa.
A new state law that went into effect this year says high schools east of Interstate 15 cannot begin any outdoor activities after school if weather conditions do not meet certain criteria, including an air temperature that is below 90 degrees. The temperature can be slightly higher if other factors, such as wind and humidity, are more favorable.
Many high school football teams in that region are scheduled to begin playing at 7 p.m. Friday, when temperatures will likely be in the low 90s, the weather service says. Large crowds are expected when Escondido High School hosts Torrey Pines High School and Valley Center High School hosts Poway High School. Schools can delay the start of games, to a certain extent.
Temperatures will be only slightly better along the Interstate 805 corridor, reaching the upper 80s on Wednesday, low 90s on Thursday and Friday, and upper 80s on Saturday.
Temperatures on the coast will be between 70 and 80 degrees on Wednesday, and between 80 and 80 degrees Thursday through Saturday. Forecasters say temperatures could reach 80 degrees by 5:40 p.m. Thursday when the Padres host the Detroit Tigers at Petco Park.
The weather service said motorists will experience a dangerous 15- to 20-degree rise on Interstate 8 as they head down the east side of the mountains into Imperial County, where temperatures are expected to reach 46 degrees on Thursday and Friday afternoon. These temperatures can cause vehicles to overheat if they are not properly maintained.
Heat is also going to be a problem for many people just trying to get a good night’s sleep. Overnight temperatures are expected to be 5 to 10 degrees above average on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
Staff writer John Maffei contributed to this story.
‘Dangerous’ heat wave will produce near-record temperatures across San Diego County
