The National Weather Service San Diego reports a mild climate today with highs hovering around seasonal norms, predicting little temperature change come Friday. By Saturday, however, an upward trend is anticipated where inland high temps could increase 5-10 degrees above the usual.
Compounding this, according to the Area Forecast Discussion, gusty westerly winds will present challenges for both mountain and desert regions, with gusts potentially hitting 35-45 mph, particularly across wind-swept desert mountain slopes and passes. Frankly, the forecast underscores a somewhat turbulent transition from one season's norms to the unpredictability of another.
Marine influences will introduce a shallow layer along the coast, mitigating the potential for dense fog over the weekend and keeping coastal temperature highs near regular levels, even as inland areas heat up. Meanwhile, the subtropical high to our southwest will edge eastward and expand into Southern California, intensifying the heat inland with valley to desert highs ranging from 7 to 15 degrees above normal. Even the marine layer, though shallow, might permit another round of dense fog in coastal reaches by Sunday morning, per NWS.
Looking ahead to next week, there's a potential shift as a weak to moderate Santa Ana event could usher in much warmer and drier conditions across valleys, with the National Blend of Models (NBM) 90th percentile forecast hinting at the possibility that valley high temperatures could potentially crest in the low 80s by New Year's Day, the dynamic nature of weather patterns once again underscores the delicate interplay between regional and broader meteorological forces.
Water enthusiasts should note that after the current swell ebbs this morning, additional long period west-northwest swells are forecasted to build by Friday, continuing into the new week with seas ranging mostly from 5-9 feet offshore. For those closer to shore, notably at San Diego County's west facing beaches, lingering high surf of 5-9 feet this afternoon keeps swimming conditions risky and minor coastal flooding remains a distinct possibility.
