Heat warnings begin Saturday in San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. – Heat advisories are in effect in inland San Diego County for the first weekend of summer.

A Heat warning applies from Saturday 10:00 a.m. to Sunday 8:00 p.m. for the valleys and mountains in the interior of San Diego County. The daily maximum temperatures are between 90 and 100 degrees. A Warning of excessive heat for the desert in San Diego County will also go into effect at 10 a.m. Saturday, but a lingering heat wave will keep daytime highs between 110 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit through Thursday. The warning will expire at 8 p.m. that same evening.

On the coast, temperatures will not yet be hot enough to trigger an alert, but they will rise to 25 to 30 degrees.

San Diego County health officials are reminding people in affected areas to take extra precautions to avoid heat-related illness and to pay special attention to children, the elderly and pets.

San Diego County offers designated “Cool Zones” where people can cool off in a safe, air-conditioned space. A full list of locations, including libraries, community centers and others, can be found here.

Tips to avoid heat-related problems

• Stay in an air-conditioned room during the hottest hours of the day. Even a few hours in an air-conditioned environment can keep your body cool. Do not rely on electric fans for cooling when temperatures are above 90 degrees.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Drink plenty of water (avoid alcohol and sugary drinks) and don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
• Take a cool shower.
• Never leave a child, elderly person or pet unattended in the car.
• attitude Pets cool down in hot weather.
• Avoid unnecessary hard work or outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
• Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and wear a wide-brimmed hat if you have to go out in the sun.
• Avoid using the oven for cooking.

• Keep your pets indoors when temperatures are lower.
• Walk your pets in the early morning or early evening to avoid prolonged exposure to heat. Avoid strenuous runs or hikes.
• Keep your pets’ water supply in a spill-proof container, keep it topped up, and make sure it stays cool (pets don’t drink water that’s too hot).
• Consider a misting system to keep outdoor areas cooler.
• Make sure your pet has shade ALL DAY when outside. Remember that the sun’s position changes throughout the day.
• Only take your pets on car rides if absolutely necessary. A car can heat up very quickly. On a 90-degree day, a car can reach 100 degrees in 10 minutes, and the temperature can still rise even with the windows rolled down an inch or two.
• Don’t walk your dogs on hot sidewalks. If it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot, don’t force your dogs to do so either.
• Consider purchasing a paddling pool for your dog. Many dogs cool down by taking a bath.

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