SAN DIEGO -- A Red Flag Warning, issued by the National Weather Service, remains in effect today as unseasonably hot weather, dry conditions and Santa Ana winds raise the risk of wildfires.
The warning, which is for the mountains and inland valleys where critical fire weather conditions are forecast, is set to expire at 3 p.m. today. A wind advisory for the mountains and valleys warning of northeast winds of 20 to 30 miles per hours and gusts that could reach 50 mph near the foothills and 60 mph in the mountains will end two hours later.
Peak wind gusts recorded in the mountains on Sunday ranged from 35 miles per hour in Warner Springs to 65 mph in Descanso. Gusts in the inland valleys topped out at 45 mph in Julian, and 36-mph winds whipped through In-Ko-Pah in the desert.
Record high temperatures were set Monday in Chula Vista and El Cajon, and today will be hot again, forecasters said. A heat advisory for the coast and the valleys will expire at 8 p.m. FORECAST
High temperatures prompted the Coronado Unified School District to decide to cut classes short today and let students out at 12:30 p.m. Many of the island's classrooms are not air-conditioned.
High temperatures this afternoon are expected to range from 89 to 94 degrees along the coast, 91 to 96 inland and near the foothills, around 99 in the western valleys, 89 to 94 near the foothills, 79 to 88 in the mountains and around 96 in the deserts.
"If you have outdoor plans be prepared for the heat,'' according to the weather service. ``With this event impacting coastal areas, don't forget to check up on the elderly or heat sensitive people, especially if they don't have AC.''
However, temperatures are expected to begin heading back toward normal Tuesday.
"Upper level low pressure over the Baja Peninsula will bring increasing moisture and slow cooling beginning Tuesday as it drifts northward bringing with clouds, and a small chance for sprinkles or scattered, light showers at times,'' according to the weather service.
10News has declared a Breaking Weather Alert as these dangerous conditions put the region at risk of wildfire. It's part of our commitment to keep you informed when weather can impact you. Stay with us for updates on air, online, from our 10News mobile app, and on Twitter and Facebook.
