Southern Californians experienced considerable warmth today as temperatures soared above average across multiple counties. In a statement obtained by the NWS Forecast Office San Diego, today's high temperatures for San Diego County ranged from about 80 degrees near the coast to a scorching 102 degrees for the inland valleys. The heat extended to Orange County, with coastal regions around 80 degrees and the inland areas hitting the mid to upper 90s. The Inland Empire, not far behind, faced the mid-90s to 105 degrees, while the Apple and Lucerne Valleys and the lower deserts endured 108 to 114 degrees. The mountains provided some reprieve, with elevations from 4500 to 7000 feet, seeing upper 70s to lower 90s.
However, the heat wave is expected to break, with a forecast indicating a looming cooling trend. "The heat for inland areas will peak today," the Area Forecast Discussion states, suggesting that high temperatures will drop from around 5 degrees above average today to 10 to 15 degrees below average on Saturday for mountain areas above 6000 feet. The anticipation of a coastal eddy later tonight into Thursday morning brings hopes of coastal low clouds, potentially spreading far into the western valleys by early Thursday morning.
Thursday's respite will bring high temperatures down a few degrees at lower elevations and around 5 degrees cooler in other locales. San Diego County will see lower to mid-70s near the coast and upper 80s inland. Orange County can expect similar coastal temperatures and lower to mid-80s inland. For those in the Inland Empire, mid-80s to mid-90s can be anticipated, and the Apple and Lucerne Valleys are forecast to experience mid-80s to mid-90s as well. The relief extends to the lower deserts, which are 102 to 107 degrees, and in the mountains, the forecast suggests highs in the upper 60s to lower 80s for elevations from 4500 to 7000 feet.
Approaching the weekend, the cooling trend perseveres as a low pressure system moves along the West Coast, which will be "followed by a cooling trend through Saturday," as detailed by the Area Forecast Discussion. This brings mountain regions well below their usual summer warmth. There's only a 45 percent chance of seeing 100 degrees or higher on Saturday for the scorching lower deserts such as Palm Springs. A warming trend is expected to take hold next week, bringing back some monsoonal moisture around mid-week, possibly ramping up those temperatures once again.
Maritime conditions are set to remain calm through Friday, with no marine hazards expected. While the heat may peak and wane, this is good news for those taking to the waters. While a Skywarn activation isn't requested at this time, weather spotters are reminded to report significant conditions should they arise.
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