San Diego residents are bracing for wintry weather advisories, including freeze warnings and frost advisories, impacting several regions. The National Weather Service (NWS) in San Diego has issued a freeze warning that will remain in effect until 9 AM PST this morning and resume from 1 AM to 9 AM PST Tuesday. The NWS warns of "sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27 expected" in areas including the inland valleys and the Inland Empire.
Meanwhile, a high surf advisory is in place for the coastal areas of San Diego, with "large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet," a potential cause for concern due to "dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion." The advisory is expected to last until 9 AM PST this morning, as San Diegans are urged to exercise caution along the shorelines.
The chilly conditions have become a talking point across the region, with NWS San Diego jokingly referencing the common parental refrain of "Keep the door shut or you'll let all the heat outside!" Highlights from the breezy Santa Ana winds are causing gusts ranging between 25-40 MPH, and in local regions, nearing 50 MPH, possibly affecting coastal slopes and the Inland Empire, as noted by the NWS in their forecast summary.
Dads everywhere: "Keep the door shut or you'll let all the heat outside!!"
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) January 8, 2024
It's a chilly one this morning with low temperatures several degrees colder than normal. Perfect for hot coffee, hot cocoa, hot tea, or hot-literally-anything-as-long-as-it's-indoors.#CAwx pic.twitter.com/SkVlSki1oz
The area faces biting winds and surf, and "frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing," according to the weather service. The cold streak has woven into the Monday mood, with NWS San Diego posting, "That's about it, folks… not the warmest for your Monday!" Further weather discussions by the NWS highlight a 'troughing pattern' set for later in the week, which could present low to moderate precipitation chances at times and perpetuate the cooler conditions.
As for the longer-term outlook, predictions suggest a continuation of cooler nights and slightly below-average daytime temperatures through mid-January. Still, a shift toward a warmer, drier trend is anticipated by early next week. A weak high-pressure ridge offshore is expected to become more established over the area, as detailed in the area forecast discussion by the NWS. The local community is encouraged to take preventive measures, such as protecting tender plants and outdoor plumbing, to minimize the adverse impacts of the frosty conditions.
