If you live in San Diego, chances are you've experienced Santa Ana winds at one point or another
What are Santa Ana winds?
You'll know it when you're in it. They are strong, warm and dry winds, that can exceed 40 mph. Santa Ana winds usually originate inland, bring a lot of dust and affect Southern California, usually in the fall. They're terrible for those who suffer from dry skin and allergies due to the low humidity. Some people will even get bloody noses from the dry weather. Warm Santa Ana winds also increase wildfire danger in many areas of San Diego County.
Staying outdoors usually isn't recommended during Santa Ana winds
Most San Diegans will usually head toward the beaches to take advantage of the humidity in the ocean air. But being at the beach still doesn't help much in terms of getting heat strokes or sunburns. Make sure you load up and pack sunscreen lotion with the highest SPF you can get. Polarized sunglasses are also a great idea.
Limit your strenuous outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and walking during a Santa Ana
Walking in 90-degree temperatures for a long period of time can cause heat stroke and more. Make sure to drink LOTS of water and rest in the shade whenever possible.
If you can find an indoor mall with air-conditioning, go there. Many museums at Balboa Park are also nice and cool on the inside.
Look on the bright side, the San Diego heat is a lot easier to deal with than most parts of the country. Those who dealt with hot humidity in other parts of the United States will know what I'm talking about. During a Santa Ana, temps in San Diego can sometimes get higher than temps in Las Vegas, but at least we've got the ocean nearby to help balance things out a bit.
Static electricity during a Santa Ana
You'll notice that whenever you open a door or touch any metal during a dry bout of Santa Ana weather, you'll sometimes experience a zap of static electricity. Be careful when filling and gassing up your car at the pump. A charge of static electricity could start a gas station fire. Make sure to tap your shoes on the gas station pump grounding point to help discharge any static electricity that you may have on your body. For static on your bed sheets, try drying your sheets in a dryer to help discharge any static.