San Diegans, brace yourself for a slight shift in weather patterns as cooler conditions take over midweek with a deepening marine layer, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) San Diego. Coastal and valley temperatures are forecasted to drop a few degrees below Tuesday's highs, and low clouds could extend into parts of the inland valleys. Notably, a localized patch of fog off the southern San Diego County coast prompted a mention but isn't expected to linger long.
As the onshore flow gains strength into the evening, residents can expect a thicker presence of low clouds, with areas of fog pushing further inland towards coastal mesas and high terrain by Wednesday morning. According to the NWS San Diego, the marine layer is projected to contract somewhat by Wednesday night into Thursday, allowing for weak offshore flows that should confine fog and low clouds to coastal regions. Temperatures from the coastline will continue to run above average despite the cool-down.
A rebound in the warmth is anticipated as we head towards the weekend. Thursday through Saturday, temperatures could climb "7 to 15 degrees above average," a forecast accentuated by potential weak to moderate northeasterly winds. As reported by NWS San Diego, San Diego County mountains and foothills may experience gusts between 35 to 45 mph. No hazardous marine weather conditions are expected through Sunday, maintaining calm for coastal operations.
Continuing into next week, dry conditions seem to remain the norm, with a mention of possible Santa Ana winds depending on the overall climate pattern. "There is still a lot of uncertainty," emphasizes the National Weather Service discussion, noting that models are split on the trajectory of a low-pressure system that could affect the intensity of these winds. Regardless, clear skies and largely consistent VFR (Visual Flight Rules) are expected to prevail in the mountains and deserts.
In aviation, pilots should be wary tonight of low clouds around 800-1200 feet MSL potentially restricting visibility down to 0-5SM, particularly in higher terrain and western valleys after 03z. The marine layer's presence should diminish by Wednesday afternoon, restoring clearer conditions. With no calls for Skywarn activation, weather spotters are still encouraged to report significant conditions that arise.
