San Diegans are in for a quickly shifting weather pattern this week as the region experiences a significant temperature rollercoaster, the National Weather Service San Diego reports. Today's temperatures will rise slightly, being around 5 degrees warmer than Monday for those at lower elevations, while mountain folk can expect an 8 to 12 degree hike. Beachgoers should enjoy mid 60s, while valley dwellers will relish in 70s. Desert rats can expect a more intense warmth with temperatures possibly reaching the mid 80s.

Wednesday promises to not only continue this warming trend but also to elevate temperatures a few to around 5 degrees above the seasonal average. According to NWS San Diego, the valleys and inland coastal areas should prepare to experience highs in the 70s, and those in the lower deserts will be able to bask in the 80s. Mountaineers from 4500 to 7000 feet elevation are advised to still keep their jackets handy as the warmth will be a more modest 55 to 65 degrees.

However, come Thursday, residents should brace themselves for a weather pendulum swing as a robust cold front barges in, bringing along with it something to surely disrupt plans – strong gusty southwest to west winds for the mountains and deserts that could reach 60 to 70 mph in the afternoon through Friday morning. Forecasters from NWS San Diego caution that alongside the winds, a cold low pressure system will introduce showers Thursday night lasting into Friday, and temperatures will plummet, with valleys potentially cooling by as much as 15 degrees.

The weekend’s forecast offers a slight respite from the tumultuous conditions experienced during the week. While it will be drier and a touch warmer, forecasters warn to be on guard for a chance of showers come Sunday night and into Monday. The maritime community is also on notice as hazardous sea conditions are expected to develop Thursday afternoon through Friday night. For those hitting the skies, aviation forecasts anticipate that most of today and tonight will enjoy mostly clear skies with just a few scattered low clouds near the coast in the early hours.

Winter is making a surprise comeback with snow levels dropping to 3000 to 3500 feet and mountain areas could get socked with 4 to 8 inches of snow at elevations ranging from 4000 to 5500 feet, and even more above that. Residents can prepare to possibly set new records for the coolest high temperatures for the date, with the National Weather Service stating "most locations having an 80 percent or greater chance of setting a record." For those with a knack for reporting weather phenomena, NWS San Diego’s Skywarn network remains open though not actively called upon.