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High Heat, High Surf Expected For San Diego County This Week

 Beachgoers at the La Jolla Cove bask in the sun, July 22, 2018.
KPBS Staff
Beachgoers at the La Jolla Cove bask in the sun, July 22, 2018.

San Diego County again will face extreme heat and high surf beginning and lasting through Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

Forecasters said a high-pressure system moving over Southern California will bring in an extended period of hot weather, with the peak of the sweltering conditions to occur Tuesday and Wednesday.

It prompted the NWS to issue an Excessive Heat Warning for San Diego County, along with most of Southern California, between 10 a.m. Monday and 8 p.m. Thursday.

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High temperatures are expected to range anywhere from 96 to 98 degrees in Escondido and El Cajon Monday, and Vista was expected to see temperatures as high as 88.

Record temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday could be broken in San Diego, Chula Vista, Escondido, Ramona and Alpine, according to the NWS.

Temperatures near the immediate coast are expected to reach the lows 80s, but not much higher. The coast is one of the only areas not under an excessive heat warning. This week lifeguards are expecting extra people at beaches looking to escape the heat.

“Late in June the numbers really started peaking and we haven’t seen it let off really since 4th of July,” said San Diego Lifeguard Lt. John Sandmeyer.

Aside from dehydration, lifeguards said one of the biggest hazards for swimmers are rip currents which can be hard to spot.

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“It’s the longshore currents that pull the water along parallel to the shore,” Sandmeyer said. “That pull them into the neck of the rip current and push that water out… If you feel yourself as soon as you enter the water getting pulled toward a deeper trough, that’s a sign that you’re entering a rip current. Just walk yourself back out and away from that location.”

The NWS issued a High Surf Advisory beginning Monday at 8 a.m. and lasting through 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Strong rip currents could cause dangerous swimming conditions for inexperienced swimmers, the NWS said.

Surf levels of 6-8 feet will be possible, forecasters said.

The desert northeastern corner of San Diego County will continue to see high temperatures, reaching a climax of 117 degrees on Tuesday.

A list of "cool zones" for residents to escape the heat can be found here.

High Heat, High Surf Expected For San Diego County This Week
High Heat, High Surf Expected For San Diego County This Week
San Diego County again will face extreme heat and high surf beginning and lasting through Thursday, the National Weather Service said.