Spring heat wave keeps San Diego toasty

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A spring heat wave, which has been building since midweek, continued baking the region today but should start to ebb on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

An NWS heat advisory for the inland valleys was slated to remain in effect through 6 p.m. Saturday.

The highest temperature in the county as of noon was in Borrego Springs at 99 degrees, the weather service said.

Other high temperatures reported by the NWS:

-- 96 in Valley Center and El Cajon;

-- 94 in Escondido;

-- 93 in Alpine;

-- 89 in Fallbrook;

-- 83 in San Diego and Chula Vista.

Due to the sudden warmup, county health officials urged the public to heed the following precautions to avoid heat-related ailments:

-- wear light, loose-fitting clothing;

-- stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, while avoiding alcohol

and sugary drinks;

-- take cool showers;

-- if possible, stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest

hours of the day;

-- never leave a child, elderly person or pet unattended in a car;

-- refrain from strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part

of the day;

-- avoid unnecessary sun exposure and wear a wide-brim hat if you need

to be in the sun;

-- don't use the oven during the day; and

-- call 911 if someone begins showing signs of heat stroke -- which

can include dizziness, nausea, confusion and intense headache.

Cool the sufferer by moving them to a shaded area, spraying them with cool water and fanning them, placing them in a cool shower if they are alert, monitoring body temperature, and continue cooling efforts while avoiding giving fluids to drink until they recover.

Temperatures will drop Sunday and Monday, though afternoon highs in the deserts will remain around 100 through at least Thursday, forecasters advised.