The National Weather Service has extended an excessive heat warning for San Diego county desert communities through Sunday night.
The late-spring heat warning kicked in at 10 a.m. Thursday and will stretch through 8 p.m. Sunday. Forecasters predict temperatures will reach triple-digit highs.
According to NWS, temperatures in Borrego Springs and other parts of the county’s eastern region can reach up to 115 degrees. This extreme heat can “significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working (outside) or participating in outdoor activities,'' the NWS cautioned.
Those facing the heat are advised to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening, take shelter in shady areas or air-conditioned rooms when possible, check up on potentially heat-sensitive relatives and neighbors, and make sure to never leave young children or pets unattended in parked vehicles.
San Diego County has established a network of free, air-conditioned spaces, such as local businesses and community centers, to allow older adults, persons with disabilities, children, and anyone looking to escape extreme heat during the summer. As a result of the excessive heat warning, the Borrego Springs Library has extended its hours through Sunday 6 p.m. Sunday.
“Cool Zones are a way for residents to lower individual utility usage and help conserve energy for the whole community,” the County wrote in a statement.
The network was established in partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the Cool Zone program is managed by Aging & Independence Services (AIS), a division of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency.
“High pressure aloft will bring heating for inland areas through Saturday with high temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above average,'' according to the NWS. “The marine layer and weak coastal eddy will keep coastal areas cooler with night and morning low clouds and fog.''
