An unseasonable heat wave gripped the San Diego area today, sending temperatures soaring into triple-digit readings in some areas.
The autumn hot spell, created by offshore flow and an unusually strong high-pressure zone centered over the coast of Southern California, brought record highs for Oct. 12 in the following communities, according to the National Weather Service:
El Cajon, 104 degrees (formerly 97, set in 1999);
Ramona, 101 (formerly 96, set in 1999);
Vista, 99 (formerly 95, set in 1983);
Alpine, 97 (formerly 95, set in 1999); and
Chula Vista, 95 (formerly 92, set in 1991).
The toasty climate was expected to linger over the region Thursday before cooling off Friday, while still remaining 5 to 10 degrees above normal for this time of year.
People unaccustomed to the heat should exercise caution with outdoor activities until more typical conditions return, and the frail and elderly without air conditioning should be checked on, the weather service advised.
