Ramona breaks record during heat spell

A spell of unseasonably high temperatures concluded Tuesday before a cooling trend sets in for the rest of the week, meteorologists said.

The heat wave that began last weekend is being caused by a ridge of high pressure over the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Several record-high temperatures were recorded around the county on Monday, including 100 degrees in Ramona and Campo, and 101 in Escondido. The previous record high for a May 13 in Ramona was 98 degrees, set in 1976. In Campo, the previous record-high was 95 degrees set in 1984, and in Escondido, it was 99 set in 1979.

Highs Tuesday were expected to be in the high 70s to low 80s inland, mid 80s in the western valleys, high 80s to low 90s near the foothills, low to high 80s in the mountains and 105 to 110 degrees in the deserts.