Heat — San Diego County Valleys, California

2024-06-23 · San Diego County Valleys, California

Event narrative

A hiker likely passed away from heat stroke off Nighthawk Trail on Black Mountain. Medical examiner is determining exact cause. At 700 am the temperature was 76F with a dewpoint 64F, wind southeast below 5 mph and relative humidity 67 percent at the base of Black Mountain and 93F at the summit of 1558 feet MSL. At 915 am the summit was 98F (SDHGPA site) and then the wind shifted to the west and gusted to 16 mph with a sea breeze lowering the temperature to 86F at the summit by 1100 am. At 1100 am, the base temperature was 84F and humidity at 58 percent. The highest temperature measured at the base was 86F at 1010 am per SDGE Rancho Penasquitos. Media reported a distress call to her family at 1008 am by the hiker saying she was very hot and she needed water. The hiker was separated from a large group of persons. The last contact to her sister was a photo from the top of Black Mountain summit. The hike is listed as moderate difficulty with 5.6 miles loop and roughly 3 hours to complete with a 850 feet elevation gain. Search and rescue consisted of 3 helicopters including infrared and drones as well as about 50 persons on foot. The search was called off at 1 am. Cell phone pings were not able to get an exact location. The search resumed at 730 am Monday. The 50 year old female was found at 915 am Monday just off the main trail and 1/4 mile from a population center. A heat advisory was in effect.

Wider weather episode

In San Diego County, starting June 22, the Border 58 wildfire burned 137 acres east of Chula Vista on Otay Mountain Truck Trail, Otay Mountain Wilderness in Otay Mesa, California. Finally, in Del Mar Heights near Torrey Pines a wildfire burned 20 acres on June 25 and resulted in evacuation orders. Riverside March ARB hit 106F on June 22 and Palm Springs reached 115F again on June 23 and 24th, 2024, then the hottest date of the month was June 30 topping at 116F.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1196417. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.