As the sun scorches the Southern California landscape, the National Weather Service San Diego (NWS) anticipates a mixed bag of weather conditions for the upcoming weekend. Coastal temperatures are expected to hover in the low to mid-70s today, climbing into the upper 70s on Sunday. At the same time, inland regions will experience a hotter climate, with the mercury potentially hitting the mid to upper 90s in valleys and even soaring to 110-113 degrees in the lower deserts, as the National Weather Service reported.
While those enjoying the coast might bask in slightly below-average temperatures, inland and desert residents are bracing for furnace-like conditions. The NWS has issued an excessive heat warning for the Coachella Valley and San Diego County Deserts through Sunday at 9 PM PDT, indicating that vulnerable populations should stay vigilant of the health risks associated with such extreme temperatures. Furthermore, the weekend welcomes chances of showers and thunderstorms, particularly over mountain and desert areas in the afternoons and early evenings. Runners venturing out in these areas should know the potential for rapidly changing weather conditions.
The weather story takes a turn when it comes to the possibility of thunderstorms, as outlined in the Area Forecast Discussion. The mountains are the most likely to witness thunderous activity, with scattered thunderstorms predicted to travel into the deserts, possibly reaching the valleys. This spells an increased likelihood of frequent lightning and gusty winds wherever these storms take hold. With the moisture influx and the passage of an upper-level low across the coast, conditions are ripe for thunderstorms to manifest, particularly over the High Desert on Sunday.
The NWS has consequently implemented a Fire Weather Watch from 9 AM PDT today through Sunday evening for multiple regions, including the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains. Meteorologists caution against dry lightning strikes, which can lead to wildfires given the parched vegetation. Unfortunately, wetting rain may not reach areas struck by lightning, and combined with predicted gusts between 35 to 50 mph, these factors could significantly hasten the spread of any existing or new fires. Navigating through the desert, drivers could encounter reduced visibility due to smoke from nearby fires, like the Vista fire in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Marine life gets some reprieve, as no hazardous conditions are forecasted at sea through Thursday. However, onshore, high temperatures, thunderstorms, and fire weather alerts create a particularly volatile environmental setup. The NWS encourages weather spotters to report any significant conditions, amplifying efforts to monitor and respond to this weekend's dynamic weather challenges.
