Heat wave continues

SAN DIEGO - Already sweltering temperatures across much of San Diego County are expected to push a few degrees upward today toward their eventual peak at the end of the workweek.

On Wednesday, low thermometer readings of 71 degrees in Chula Vista, Escondido and at Oceanside Harbor topped by one degree previous records, set in 1981, 2011 and 1984, respectively, according to the National Weather Service. A low of 69 degrees in Vista equaled the previous Aug. 26 minimum temperature milestone, set in 1988.

Forecasters said high pressure aloft will keep inland areas hot through Friday.

Highs of 80 to 85 degrees are forecast today for the coast, as are highs of 87 to 92 degrees in inland areas, 90 to 95 in the western valleys, 93 to 98 near the foothills, 90 to 96 in the mountains and around 107 degrees in the deserts.

The heat wave is expected to peak Friday, with forecasted highs of 82 to 87 degrees along the coast, 93 to 98 degrees inland, 95 to 100 degrees in the valleys, 90 to 97 in the mountains and 106 to 111 degrees in the deserts.

A low pressure trough moving toward the West Coast was expected to usher in cooler conditions over the weekend and into next week, with temperatures at or below than seasonal averages, forecasters said.