SAN DIEGO – The entire West Coast should bake over the next several days.

Temperatures could reach record levels in Seattle, Portland, Ore., and much of Northern California. Portland could hit 92 Friday.

The heat wave, the first of the year in Northern California, has prompted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to ask Californians to take precautions to reduce the risk of heat-related health problems. San Francisco was expected to hit 93 degrees Thursday.

The National Weather Service believes San Diego won't get quite as hot. The high Friday, when the heat wave should peak here, is expected to reach 88. But inland, temperatures could hit the century mark.

The wild card will be the sea breeze, according to forecaster Stan Wasowski. If the breeze kicks in early and strong, it will hold temperatures down. If the high pressure building over the West Coast keeps the breeze away, temperatures could climb.

What's unusual about the heat is its timing and coverage, Wasowski said.

“You're going to see high temperatures all the way from Pacific Northwest to San Diego,” he said. “That usually doesn't happen in the spring.”

When the heat arrives here, it will be accompanied by very low humidities. That will increase the fire danger, but no strong winds are expected. And because the backcountry brush remains relatively moist, the weather service doesn't expect extremely dangerous fire conditions.

The nights are still expected to cool off, which should provide relief from the heat. The lows are expected drop to the low 60s or upper 50s at the coast and inland valleys.

Temperatures should fall 10 degrees or more west of the mountains during the day Saturday, and Sunday should be about the same.

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