San Diegans can expect a weekend of warmth before a wintry shift next week, according to the National Weather Service. NWS forecasts today and Sunday will feature highs between 75 to 85 degrees in coastal and valley areas, dipping down into the mid-60s for mountain regions and a comfortable mid-60s in the low deserts.
A slight cooldown is on the horizon come Monday, with coastal and valley areas seeing temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees. The Area Forecast Discussion, a detailed report by the NWS, points to a trough of low pressure over the eastern Pacific as the culprit declaring, "A little cooler Monday west of the mountains."
While this weekend's weather owes its warmth to the Santa Ana winds, changes are blowing in early next week. The upper ridge that is responsible for the seasonally high temperatures will give way to more humid southwest flows, introducing clouds and spotty showers. A set of gusty easterly winds will sweep through the mountain passes and canyons, the NWS stated.
Looking toward midweek, the detailed forecast predicts more substantial downpours. "The best chances of light rain will be over the San Bernardino Mountains, with lesser chances farther south in San Diego County," the NWS mentioned, forecasting a pivot to a wetter scenario as an atmospheric river enters the fray by Wednesday.
San Diego's dry spell is forecast to break with "increasing chances of wetting rain" leading into Friday, according to the NWS. Fire weather concerns should momentarily abate as humidity levels climb and precipitation possibilities increase. The upcoming rain system could deliver between 1 and 3 inches in areas west of the mountains and up to 6 inches in the mountains from Wednesday through Saturday, as per NWS predictions.
San Diegans living in coastal and valley locales, prepare to swap your sunglasses for umbrellas. The clear skies and balmy breezes will soon succumb to the advance of a Pacific low, ushering in a week of moisture and much-needed rainfall.
