Santee and neighboring inland communities are in for an unseasonably warm stretch of days, with the National Weather Service warning of potentially record-breaking high temperatures by Friday. The NWS San Diego forecast discussion, issued Wednesday morning, puts inland valley highs around 90 degrees Fahrenheit for Friday — as much as 25 to 30 degrees above average for this time of year.

The warming trend builds steadily. Wednesday's forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with a high near 82 degrees in Santee, followed by a sunny Thursday topping out near 86. By Friday, a combination of weak offshore flow and strengthening high pressure aloft is expected to push temperatures to their peak for the week. According to the NWS, widespread record high temperatures are possible on Friday across portions of inland Southern California.

The NWS noted that probabilities of exceeding existing daily temperature records are notably elevated at several inland locations this Friday. Lower desert areas could see mid-to-upper 90s. After the weekend, high pressure is expected to weaken and onshore flow will return, gradually cooling temperatures back toward more seasonal normals by early next week.

The sharp warm-up follows weeks of unsettled, stormy weather that brought multiple rounds of rain, wind, and mountain snow to the region through mid-February. The NWS has not issued any heat advisories or warnings for San Diego County as of Wednesday morning, but the dramatic swing from recent conditions stands out — February highs near 90°F in Santee are rare.

Residents planning outdoor activities should take note of the conditions expected Thursday through Saturday. The NWS recommends staying hydrated and limiting strenuous outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours on the hottest days. No significant rainfall is expected over the next week.