UPDATE - 3:40PM
Heat records for this date have already been set in Poway at 106, San Diego at 97 degrees, Vista at 107 degrees, Chula Vista at 99 degrees, Escondido at 104 degrees, Oceanside at 98 degrees, Ramona at 100 degrees and Alpine at 99 degrees.
SAN DIEGO (KGTV/CNS) - Record-breaking temperatures and strong Santa Ana winds hit the San Diego region Tuesday, prompting fire crews to mobilize in preparation for potential wildfires.
Amid the scorching conditions and increase in fire danger, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect until Wednesday at 6 p.m. An Excessive Heat Warning for most of the county is set to expire Tuesday night at 8 p.m.
Scorching heat across #SoCal today! These are the highs so far. #cawx pic.twitter.com/x9A3Ziv4hJ
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) October 24, 2017
With Santa Ana winds coming from the northeast of the county, a Wind Advisory is in effect until 2 p.m. Wednesday for the valleys and mountain areas.
SAN DIEGO HEAT:
- Latest forecast
- Minimum Day for SD Unified students due to heat
- Staying cool on a budget
- San Diego County Cool Zones
- Find cool treats around San Diego
- List of San Diego splash pads, water parks
The Red Flag Warning took effect Sunday, a day after the 10th anniversary of the start of the catastrophic Harris and Witch Creek fires, conflagrations that spread over a total of about 288,400 acres, destroyed more than 1,300 homes and killed seven people.
Wednesday will be the 14th anniversary of the start of the Cedar Fire, which killed 15 people and destroyed more than 2,230 homes while charring about 280,000 acres.
Fire agencies across the region, including Cal Fire and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, have beefed up staffing to help deal with any possible blazes that erupt. Meanwhile, about 85 San Diego Unified schools have announced a second straight day of minimum-day schedules to beat the heat.
Several cities set new heat records Monday, the NWS said, with afternoon highs of 104 degrees in El Cajon, beating the prior Oct. 23 milestone of 100, set in 2003; 101 in Ramona, (97 degrees, 2003); 100 in Vista (99, 1965); and 99 in Alpine (98, 1959).
