As the heat continues to scorch across Southwestern California, residents are bracing for another sweltering day with temperatures set to soar above normal. NWS San Diego is reporting highs today to be 5 to 15 degrees above the usual, with coastal areas hitting the 80s and lower 90s on Sunday. In addition, isolated showers and storms may provide some respite for those in the mountains, deserts, and western valleys, but they also come with the threat of gusty winds, heavy downpours, and frequent lightning.
As the region grapples with the heat, the National Weather Service advises the public to drink plenty of fluids and limit outdoor activities. However, Sunday might bring a greater chance of storms, particularly in inland areas, which may yet again be dampened with heavy downpours, lightning, and gusty winds, according to their Area Forecast Discussion. These late afternoon disturbances could affect the Inland Empire and foothills in San Diego County.
The high temperatures result from a persistent high-pressure system, which has kept the area baking under the sun. The monsoonal moisture set to creep into the region this weekend adds a potential for thunderstorms capable of producing significant downfalls. For those not lucky enough to be caught in a storm's path, the NWS warns of hot temperatures exceeding 100 degrees for deserts and other inland locales.
A predicted shift in weather patterns could bring some relief by midweek. A trough moving into the western states is expected to usher in a quick cooling trend. This change should moderate the temperatures, bringing them closer to seasonal averages. "Most places will cool by 5 to 10 degrees from Tuesday to Wednesday", states the NWS forecast. Coastal regions can also anticipate a reprieve with highs dropping near 80 degrees. As the heat advisory remains in effect until Monday evening, caution is advised. Residents should be vigilant, especially those in lower elevations where nighttime temperatures are not expected to bring much respite from the daytime heat.
Marine conditions along the coast are forecasted to be relatively calm despite the foggy starts in certain areas. For aviators, coastal mountain slopes and far inland valleys warrant attentiveness between 19:00 and 03:00 due to a chance of thunderstorms affecting visibility. Beyond this, the NWS expects no significant disruptions to marine travel through Wednesday. Skywarn activation is not requested, yet spotters are encouraged to report noteworthy weather situations.
