SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI) — While autumn is well underway, San Diegans know all too well that the climate in SoCal doesn’t always mirror the season.
The National Weather Service (NWS) announced Monday that a heat advisory will be issued for San Diego County valleys from Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. through Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m.
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-to-high 90s in El Cajon, Escondido, La Mesa, Poway, Santee and San Marcos, according to NWS. Riverside and Moreno Valley have also been issued a heat advisory.
Health officials with the County of San Diego remind the public that extremely high temperatures can be dangerous for people and pets and can lead to stroke or even death.
Signs of overheating can include exhaustion, dizziness, nausea, confusion and headache.
The County of San Diego advises the public to head to one of several Cool Zones, which offer safe, air-conditioned stations to escape the heat. Here’s the complete list of Cool Zones throughout the county.
The County of San Diego also provides these tips to help stay cool:
- Stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler
- Do not rely on electric fans for cooling if temperatures exceed 90 degrees
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing
- Drink plenty of water (avoid alcohol and sugary drinks) and don’t wait until you are thirsty
- Take cool showers
- Never leave a child, elderly person, or pet unattended in a car
- Avoid unnecessary hard work or activities outside during the hottest part of the day
- Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and wear a wide-brimmed hat if you need to be in the sun
- Avoid using the oven to cook
The County of San Diego also provides these tips to help pets stay cool:
- Keep your pets indoors if the temperature is lower inside
- Exercise pets in early morning hours or early evening to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat. Avoid strenuous runs or hikes
- Keep your pets’ water supply in a tip-proof container, always topped off, and be sure it stays cool (pets will not drink water that is too hot)
- Be sure your pet has shade from the sun all day long if they are outside. Remember, the sun’s position changes during the day
- Do not take your pets for car trips unless necessary. A car can heat up very quickly. On an 85-degree day, a car can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes and soar upward even with the windows down an inch or two
- Don’t take your dogs for walks on the hot pavement. If it is too hot for you to walk barefoot, then don’t make your dogs do it either
- Consider adding a child’s wading pool for your dog. Many dogs will keep cool by “taking a dip”
If you see someone suffering from symptoms of heat stroke or exhaustion, call 9-1-1 and start cooling them. It is also important not to give them anything to drink, as a person suffering from heat stroke may not be able to swallow, and fluids could make it hard for them to breathe, according to health officials with the County.
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