Southern Californians are once again being tested in the unrelenting cauldron of summer heat as temperatures climb to oppressive highs. According to the National Weather Service San Diego, inland regions are in for another scorcher today, with the promise of isolated showers and thunderstorms in the mountains and deserts come afternoon. Relief is on the horizon, however, as the weekend is poised to usher in cooler, drier conditions with a trough of low pressure moving inland to the north.
The marine layer has been playing a coy game of cat and mouse for the coastal dwellers, but coverage of those night and morning coastal low clouds is set to expand over the weekend. The inland valleys, in a similar manner, should anticipate temperatures returning to near seasonal averages – news that should offer a reprieve from the searing heat that's held the valleys in an unwavering grip. It's not all placid news, though. A Heat Advisory remains in effect until 10 PM PDT this evening for several counties, including San Diego and Riverside, with an Excessive Heat Warning issued for Apple and Lucerne Valleys extended until the same time.
As the weekend wanes into next week, residents should prepare for a warming trend that will see inland area temperatures climb roughly 10 degrees. "High temperatures on Sunday with be slightly cooler than Saturday, near average for the lower deserts to as much as 5 to locally 10 degrees below average for the valleys," reports the National Weather Service. This is followed by a gradual warming trend for inland areas next week, with high temperatures warming around 10 degrees from Sunday of this weekend to Saturday of next weekend.
The forecast also indicates an uptick in humidity for inland areas next week, though the likelihood of afternoon thunderstorms for the mountains and deserts hovers below 10 percent, suggesting predominantly dry conditions. For those navigating the skies or the sea, no hazardous conditions are expected through Monday, and there is no immediate need for Skywarn activation – a bit of reprieve for pilots and seafarers alike. Nevertheless, weather spotters remain encouraged to report any significant weather occurrences that may defy predictions.
