Records were set on Friday throughout San Diego county with summer-like temperatures brought by a heatwave in early spring and gusty Santa Ana winds.
Chula Vista and San Diego surpassed records set in 2014 on Friday with temperatures of 97 and 95 degrees respectively, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). El Cajon tied its high-temperature record of 99 degrees, set in 1989.
It is expected to be slightly cooler today following record-breaking temperatures.
The San Diego Coast will see highs in the 80s, and in the valley and mountain regions and the upper 90s to low triple digits in the deserts, all with winds of up to 25 miles per hour.
“… A strong ridge aloft will collapse over the weekend, allowing more fog and cooler air to spread inland,'' according to the National Weather Service.
The NWS predicted much colder air to arrive early next week, preceded by strong onshore winds over the mountains and deserts and the potential for widespread rain and mountain snow on Tuesday.
“Santa Ana wind conditions are expected to diminish … with an onshore flow returning by Saturday, 'spreading cooling inland through the weekend,' followed by 'cool and windy conditions with a chance of precipitation early next week'," the NWS said.
Standard heat warnings are in place for residents to stay safe in the heat, advising proper hydration, checking on loved ones, and staying away from the sun and in air-conditioned rooms. Forecasters remind the public that “young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.''
This spring heat follows a dry winter, and as California enters the third year of severe drought. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently took steps to drive water conservation at a local level following the driest first three months in recorded history.
The State Water Resources Control Board is expected to codify the governor’s call to action on May 24 at a public meeting, likely enacting a ban on watering non-residential turfs. The state water board is expected to enact the governor’s recent call for all local water suppliers to activate Drought Level 2.
According to Gov. Newsom’s office, triggering Level 2 of these plans involves implementing water conservation actions to prepare for a water shortage level of up to 20 percent.
For example, in many communities, this would mean reducing the number of days that residents can water outdoors, among other measures. It’s up to local jurisdictions to enforce those rules, a process that’s proved challenging in the past.
Newsom has called for a voluntary reduction of 15 percent water use compared with 2020. However, water use across the state increased slightly in recent months as dry conditions persist.
