A high-pressure system and light Santa Ana winds sent autumn temperatures way above normal Saturday across San Diego County and Sunday is likely to be even hotter, says the National Weather Service.
Here is a sample of Saturday’s high temperatures through 4 p.m.: Escondido, 88; La Jolla, 88; Rancho San Diego, 88; Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, 88; La Mesa, 87; Bay Ho, 87; Allied Gardens, 87; Spring Valley, 87; Santee, 87; Vista, 86; Otay Mountain, 86; Montgomery Field, 86; Chula Vista, 85; National City, 85; Camp Pendleton, 84; Valley Center, 84; Jamul, 83; San Diego International Airport, 82; San Marcos, 82; Encinitas, 81; Oceanside Harbor, 80; Shelter Island, 80; Solana Beach, 78.
The waves rose to 7 feet Saturday in Del Mar, presenting challenging conditions for surfers. P (Gary Robbins / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Forecasters say temperatures will be 3 to 6 degrees higher in some places Sunday, including San Diego, which is expected to reach 88 at the airport. They also noted that the morning high tide will be unusually high due to the effects of El Niño. The tide will peak at 7:42 a.m. at roughly 7 feet, 6 inches. A swell out of the west will cause some of that water to run up high on local beaches and possibly into parking lots. The waves have been breaking especially hard at Del Mar, which is getting pounded by waves straight out of the west.
The sea surface temperature Saturday in La Jolla was 75.4 degrees, more than 11 degrees above normal. The spike was caused by El Niño and by a marine heat wave earlier this year, scientists say.