Temperatures will rise this week in the San Diego County mountains and deserts, but the county will largely escape the record heat wave expected in much of the southwest United States.
Parts of southeastern California, Nevada and Arizona are expected to bake as the first heat wave of the season arrives with triple-digit temperatures forecast for many areas.
But in San Diego, the coasts will be cooled by the marine layer, while temperatures rise into the 90s in the mountains and low 110s in the deserts.
“High pressure aloft will continue the inland warming trend with the heat peaking on Thursday and Friday with high temperatures for the mountains and deserts generally 8 to 12 degrees above average,” the National Weather Service said.
“The marine layer will keep coastal areas cooler with night and morning coastal low clouds not spreading as far into the valleys for or Thursday and Friday. Then gradually
cooler for Saturday through Monday,” the agency said.
Temperatures are forecast to peak on Friday at 72 to 77 near the coast, 79 inland, 80 to 84 in the western valleys, 87 to 92 near the foothills, 87 to 97 in the mountains and 110 to 113 in the deserts.
Fire crews will be on high alert, especially in Arizona, where fire restrictions went into effect before Memorial Day in some areas.