Weather Draws Crowds to Beaches; Boy Drowns

The ocean is still a chill 64 degrees, but unseasonably warm weather Sunday drew 118,000 sun worshipers to San Diego beaches, keeping lifeguards hopping.

Lifeguards responded to 37 rescue calls from Ocean Beach to Black’s Beach, but were unsuccessful in reviving a 14-year-old Spring Valley boy that divers pulled from the water at Bonita Cove in Mission Bay.

Matthew Peck and a 14-year-old friend were swimming from the cove’s east to west shore when Peck disappeared about 1 p.m., said Lifeguard Service Lt. Brant Bass. The boy was found by divers at 2:19 p.m. and taken to UC Medical Center, where he died at 2:49 p.m. The youth had a history of epilepsy, but an autopsy probably will not reveal whether a seizure contributed to his death, according to the San Diego County coroner’s office.

During spring, the number of rescues increase because the ocean floor is still shifting, Bass said. High and low spots in the sand, strong rip currents and crowd-drawing warm weather add up to more rescues, he said.

Lindbergh Field recorded a temperature of 82 degrees at 4 p.m. Sunday, compared to 67 degrees on this date last year, according to the National Weather Service. A record high of 91 was set for this day in 1919. The normal high for this time of year is 70 degrees.

Oceanside and Imperial Beach had coolest weather in the county with temperatures of 68 and 74, respectively. The hottest spot was Borrego Springs at 111.

Other San Diego County temperatures Sunday: Alpine, 96; Chula Vista, 81; Del Mar, 77; El Cajon, 95; Escondido, 93; Fallbrook, 94; Imperial Beach, 74; La Mesa, 92; Lemon Grove, 95; Miramar, 90; National City, 85; Poway, 95; Ramona, 95; Santee, 100, and Vista, 88.

A high-pressure system will keep the weather warm and sunny today, according to forecasters. A slight increase in the onshore flow of sea breezes will bring slightly cooler weather Tuesday, and late-night and morning fog and clouds.