San Diego residents, brace yourselves for a flurry of weather changes over the next week. According to the National Weather Service, the city will experience a gradual warming trend throughout this weekend, with temperatures a few degrees above the norm. By Sunday, the mercury is expected to climb even higher, about 5 to 10 degrees above average.
Those hoping for a respite from the heat might find minor relief on Monday as the NWS forecasts a slight cooldown, though temperatures will still hover above the usual for this time of year. The coastal zones and western valleys will maintain cooler conditions thanks to persistent morning low clouds and fog. Yet, inland areas should brace for an Excessive Heat Watch from Sunday morning to the end of the week, as per the National Weather Service.
Looking into the week ahead, particularly around the Fourth of July, there's a bit of a mixed bag in store. The NWS discussion points to a prolonged heat wave kicking off on Tuesday, which is set to intensify over the inland areas through to at least the following weekend. The weather patterns are somewhat erratic, with varying model predictions, indicating that there's still considerable uncertainty in the placement and intensity of the projected high temperatures.
Adding to the hot mix, there's potential monsoon moisture to consider in the lower deserts, increasing the forecast's unpredictability. However, the stats don't lie, and an aggressive heat wave is on the horizon as things stand. "Regardless of the forecast uncertainties, we are in for a long duration heat wave whether temperatures end up falling in the low end or high end of the current forecast range, especially in the deserts", according to the NWS's area forecast discussion. The Apple and Lucerne Valleys, the Coachella Valley, the San Diego County Deserts, and the San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning are on alert with an Excessive Heat Watch.
As for other conditions affecting San Diegans, marine life can breathe easy, with no hazardous marine situations expected through Wednesday. Meanwhile, aviation operations will see some impacts in the skies with low cloud presence affecting coastal TAF sites until around 5 PM today. Skies elsewhere should remain mostly clear. With the city swaying between cooler marine layers and the looming heat wave, staying informed and prepared is best. While not activated, Skywarn encourages spotters to report significant weather conditions, ensuring the public stays updated on this shifting climate scenario.
