A lingering high-pressure system and weak offshore flow are expected to push temperatures up countywide Saturday and throughout the weekend, peaking on Monday.
“This is our hottest time of year,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Dandrea. “We get these heat episodes quite a bit.”
Though temperature records are not forecasted to be set over the next couple days, Dandrea said Monday will be the hottest day with near-record temperatures likely, adding Tuesday “will still be quite warm.”
Expect low-to mid-80s along the coast and 97 to 102 degrees in the inland valleys, Dandrea said.
The meteorologist said very dry fuels combined with windy conditions are presenting “an elevated wildfire danger in the back country.”
Cal Fire Capt. Mike Mohler agreed. He said elevated temperatures coupled with extremely dry conditions has wildland fire crews fully staffed and on alert.
Mohler said prevailing weather conditions are such that a red flag warning, issued by the weather service whenever high temperatures, low humidity and an offshore flow combine to create extreme fire danger, is possible the next couple days.
“I doubt we’ll see it [Saturday] because of the leftovers from Miriam,” he said. That dying hurricane off Mexico’s Baja California peninsula may cause some clouds and higher humidity in San Diego, he said.
“But we could see either a fire watch or a fire warning between [Sunday] and Wednesday.”
—City News Service
