San Diegans brace yourselves, as the National Weather Service (NWS) of San Diego warns of gradually cooling temperatures and gusty winds set to persist through Friday evening. According to NWS San Diego, the cooling trend, which is moving into Thursday, accompanies a deepening marine layer and possible drizzle across coastal and valley regions. Inland, locals can expect cooler conditions with high temperatures hovering up to 15 degrees below average in the mountains on Thursday.
The NWS has also issued a Wind Advisory effective from 5 PM today, warning of strong southwest to west winds affecting the mountains and deserts until 11 PM PDT Friday. Gusts could reach a whopping 60 to 70 mph in areas below the San Gorgonio Pass, creating the potential for hazardous conditions such as blowing dust and sand. For coastal dwellers, near-steady temperatures in the lower to mid 60s persist, while valley residents will see slightly cooler conditions in the upper 50s to mid 60s, as per the latest update from the NWS.
The NWS detailed the incoming systems responsible for the current weather patterns, noting "A low pressure system from the west will move inland across southern California and northern Baja for late today and tonight," followed by "a faster-moving low pressure system from the northwest moving inland through southern California on Friday." The marine layer, contributing to cooler temperatures and potential drizzle, has also been measured at approximately 4000 to 4500 feet deep with coastal cloud cover extending into most valleys, based on a NWS forecast discussion.
While Friday will see the strongest wind gusts, the weekend is expected to bring warmer weather as weak high pressure builds over the region. High temperatures for Sunday and Monday could surpass averages by a few degrees, though the impending forecast is laced with uncertainties—evidenced by the "greater spread of the high temperature forecasts for locations for the coast and valleys versus the mountains and deserts." Mariners should also note that conditions are predicted to become more hazardous on Friday morning, particularly in the outer waters, due to stronger winds and choppy seas, as warned by NWS marine forecasts.
Despite the potential for some moisture and wind-related challenges, no Skywarn activation has been requested at this time. Nonetheless, spotters are encouraged to remain vigilant and report significant weather conditions as this week’s weather saga unfolds.
