Residents in Southern California can expect a marginally hotter Thursday, with some areas seeing temperatures slightly above average, particularly in the lower deserts. The National Weather Service Forecast Office in San Diego predicts that temperatures for San Diego County will reach into the mid-70s near the coast and mid-90s in the inland valleys. Orange County can anticipate low 70s by the coast, stretching to the upper 80s inland. A warmer trend continues, with the Inland Empire seeing temperatures in the 90s to around 102 degrees and the lower deserts getting even hotter, with a range of 104 to 109 degrees. In comparison, Apple and Lucerne Valleys will experience the mid-90s to 103 degrees.
As Thursday progresses, monsoonal moisture is forecasted to return, bringing a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and into the night. "Monsoonal moisture will increase for Thursday into Friday with a 15 to 25 percent chance for thunderstorms for the mountains and deserts for Thursday afternoon and evening and 30 to 40 percent chance for Friday afternoon and early evening with lesser chances for the Inland Empire," according to the National Weather Service. In addition, the Area Forecast Discussion notes some cloud cover for coastal areas, with night and morning low clouds and fog slightly extending inland.
Heading into the weekend, the monsoonal moisture should start to dry out. However, chances for the afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms will continue for the mountain and desert areas. The warming trend is predicted to carry into Sunday and Monday, with the lower deserts facing a scorching 110 to 116 degrees and the Inland Empire reaching up into the upper 90s to 107 degrees. "The resulting Heat Risk could be sufficient for Heat Advisories for the valleys and mountains for Saturday through around Tuesday with Excessive Heat Warnings for the deserts," per the Area Forecast Discussion by the San Diego Forecast Office.
For aviation enthusiasts and those planning to fly, the National Weather Service San Diego provides a clear sky view for most parts: "Mostly clear with unrestricted VIS will continue through Thu morning, except for areas of smoke in southern Riverside County near the Nixon Fire." Mariners, on the other hand, can look forward to smooth sailing as "No hazardous marine conditions are expected through Sunday." Lastly, the NWS encourages weather spotters to report significant conditions, even though Skywarn activation is not requested.
