Extreme heat has much of San Diego County under close watch this Thursday, with weather warnings in effect and temperatures that could pose a significant health risk, particularly for older adults, children, people with chronic health conditions, and those who work outdoors.

The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued an Excessive Heat Warning and a Heat Advisory for Thursday, forecasting a high to extreme heat risk across different parts of the region. Weather officials are urging residents to take additional precautions during the hottest hours of the day.

PHOTO: NWS

The County of San Diego has issued recommendations to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses, urging residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and pay particular attention to family members, neighbors, and others who may be more vulnerable to high temperatures.

Among the key recommendations are:

• Drink water frequently, even before you feel thirsty.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity during the hottest hours of the day.
• Stay in cool, air-conditioned places whenever possible.
• Never leave children, older adults, or pets inside parked vehicles.
• Watch for symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, weakness, headaches, nausea, or loss of consciousness.
• Seek emergency medical attention if severe symptoms associated with heatstroke occur.

The county also provides resources and cooling centers for residents who need relief from the high temperatures.

SDG&E urges residents to prepare for increased electricity demand

Increased use of air conditioning can also drive up electricity demand. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) provides information to help customers prepare for power outages and recommends that residents seek a cool location or visit a cooling center if an outage occurs during extremely hot weather.

The utility also recommends turning off or unplugging heat-producing appliances, such as electric stoves and space heaters, during an outage to reduce potential hazards when power is restored.

PHOTO: SDG&E

Authorities urge residents not to underestimate the heat

Although temperatures may be lower along the coast, authorities warn that the risk remains. Extreme heat can particularly affect people who engage in physical activity, work outdoors, or do not have access to air conditioning.

The message from authorities is straightforward: stay hydrated, remain in cool places, and limit exposure to extreme heat during the hottest parts of the day.

The National Weather Service continues to provide updated information on alerts and advisories across San Diego County. Residents are encouraged to check the latest conditions before heading outdoors or engaging in strenuous activities.