San Diego County is in the grips of a record-setting heat wave Thursday as an unseasonal extended hot spell blanketed Southern California.
Two woman lounge on the sand and read in Ocean Beach during a winter heat wave, San Diego, March 13, 2026. San Diego County is in the grips of a record-setting heat wave Thursday as an unseasonal extended hot spell blanketed Southern California.
"Daily record highs will be broken in several locations," said the National Weather Service."A return of onshore flow will bring some cooling to the coastal basin over the weekend, but temps will remain above average nonetheless." A strengthening high-pressure atmospheric system combined with winds out of the east will bring widespread record heat until the end of the week. High temperatures will be 20 to 25 degrees above average west of the mountains through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.Maximum thermometer readings through Friday are likely to reach the low to mid-80s near the coast and the 90s across the inland valleys, tying or breaking records, the NWS reported. The East County highlands and desert locales will get less dramatic warming, up to about five degrees, meteorologists said. An NWS heat advisory for coastal and valley communities will be in effect until at least 8 p.m. Friday. The weekend will be less toasty but still unusually warm for this time of year, according to the NWS.A surfer launches off of the lip of a wave in Ocean Beach during a winter heat wave, San Diego, March 13, 2026.A surfer walks out of the water in Ocean Beach during a winter heat wave, San Diego, March 13, 2026. Next week, even hotter conditions are expected to arrive, bringing all- time record temperatures for March in some locations, forecasters reported. Authorities advise the public to prevent heat-related health problems over the period by drinking plenty of fluids, staying out of the sun, limiting strenuous activities to early morning or evening, taking refuge in air- conditioned spaces if possible and checking in on potentially at-risk friends, relatives and neighbors.KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
San Diego County opens two project-based Section 8 housing waitlistsWaitlists opened Monday for two new affordable housing communities in Fallbrook and San Marcos through the County of San Diego’s Housing Authority.
Read more »
San Diego's Weather Forecast for March 11, 2026: Record heat returns to San Diego!Megan Parry joined the ABC 10News team in 2014 as an esteemed meteorologist with a passion for delivering accurate weather forecasts and engaging with her community.
Read more »
The Streamline: Record heat expected to broil San Diego CountyJermaine Ong is a Digital Content Producer at ABC 10News/KGTV in San Diego.
Read more »
Summer arrives early: Record March heat wave to scorch San Diego CountyCity News Service is one of the largest regional news services in the country, serving the Southern California region.
Read more »
San Diego's Weather Forecast for March 12, 2026: Record heat hits San Diego!Megan Parry joined the ABC 10News team in 2014 as an esteemed meteorologist with a passion for delivering accurate weather forecasts and engaging with her community.
Read more »
Harris County Commissioners Court to address key items impacting union representation for county workersHarris County is set to address two key items at Thursday’s commissioner court meeting that would impact union representation for county workers.
Read more »