High temperature records were shattered in San Diego County amid an unusual winter heat wave.
Temperatures on Tuesday at San Diego International Airport raised the mercury to 89 degrees, cementing it as the warmest day of the year thus far, according to Meteorologist Greg Bledsoe.
Compared to other March 17 temperatures the NWS keeps on record, several areas around San Diego County broke their records for heat on Tuesday (with one tie):
Chula Vista (93) broke its record from 1978
Ramona (95) broke its record from 2004
Alpine (96) broke its record from 1978
El Cajon (97) broke its record from 1978
Palomar Mountain (79) broke its record from 1972
Campo (89) tied its record from 2007
Also on Tuesday, Ocotillo Wells was the hottest spot in the entire county at 102 degrees. While the desert is expected to be sweltering, San Pasqual was the hottest spot not in the desert at 99 degrees.
Monday saw record-breaking heat as well in El Cajon (93 degrees), Alpine (90) and Ramona (89).
The heat is sticking around through the start of the weekend, raising the possibility of more record temperatures, Bledsoe said. Temperatures will cool slightly by Sunday and the early part of next week, but it’s still going to be very warm.
This month is the third-warmest start to March ever for San Diego. It’s also tied for the second driest.