While cloudy skies provided some relief from the summer heat this weekend, San Diego County residents aren’t out of the woods just yet. Forecasters expect temperatures to climb through next week, with daytime highs running about 10 degrees above average in many inland communities. The warmer we ather will also be accompanied by lingering humidity, making it feel even hotter for people spending time outdoors. At Cowles Mountain, one of the county’s most popular hiking destinations, many people hit the trail early Saturday morning to beat the heat. “I don’t like the muggy, I really don’t,” hiker Adan Romero said. “It’s just too sticky.” Officials recommend scheduling outdoor workouts or hikes during the coolest parts of the day—either early in the morning or after sunset—and taking frequent breaks. Hikers agree with that advice. “If you really need to take a break, take a break,” Romero said. “Don’t rush things and take it slow.” The City of San Diego says it has heat safety plans in place to protect employees who work outdoors. “Every time it gets to about 80 degrees, we make sure that we provide shade, water and ice for our team,” said City Safety Officer Patrick Tachiquin. Tachiquin said crews follow high-heat prevention protocols that include cooling off inside air-conditioned vehicles, drinking water and taking regular rest breaks whenever temperatures begin to rise. Many experienced hikers at Cowles Mountain say they follow similar strategies. “We like to go maybe 7 or 6 so we can get down before the heat really kicks off,” said Annie McSorley, who hikes the trail nearly every weekend. McSorley also stressed the importance of staying hydrated and protecting your skin from the sun. “I just reapplied a ton of sunscreen in the car,” she said. “And then also just be prepared with water. I have a hydro pack here to make sure that we stay hydrated.” Even with cloudy skies, officials say people shouldn’t let their guard down. Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can still penetrate cloud cover, and the UV Index is forecast to remain in the “Very High” range this weekend. Health experts recommend wearing sunscreen, protective clothing and seeking shade whenever possible. The National Weather Service is also warning of a dangerous heat wave affecting much of the western United States this weekend into next week. While San Diego’s coastal communities are expected to avoid the worst of the heat thanks to the marine influence, inland areas—including popular hiking spots like Cowles Mountain—are expected to see a considerable warm-up in the days ahead. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less