As the San Francisco Bay Area prepares for a significant shift in weather, the National Weather Service (NWS) in San Diego warns of cooler temperatures and strong Santa Ana winds in the coming days. According to an update published by the NWS San Diego, coastal regions can expect high temperatures today ranging from 64 to 71 degrees, with inland areas experiencing highs of 69 to 74 degrees. However, a change is on the horizon as a low-pressure system moves in.
The forecast indicates that Tuesday will bring much cooler weather for inland areas, with high temperatures dropping by as much as 10 to 15 degrees, particularly in the mountains and high desert areas; the mountains between 4000 feet and 7000 feet, for example, will see highs between only 40 to 51 degrees according to NWS San Diego. The cold front's arrival brings the likelihood of showers in some areas and a marked drop in snow levels, starting at around 5500 feet in the early morning before falling to 4000 to 4500 feet by the afternoon, as detailed in the synopsis from the NWS's Area Forecast Discussion.
Moreover, the region is bracing for potent Santa Ana winds, anticipated to kick in on Tuesday morning and persist through Wednesday afternoon; these gusty winds, possibly reaching speeds of 55 to 65 mph, are expected to impact Orange and southwestern San Bernardino Counties before spreading into San Diego County. "Areas of strong and gusty north to northeasterly Santa Ana winds will develop on Tuesday morning," the NWS San Diego forecasts, projecting that these conditions will gradually abate by Wednesday night.
These weather patterns are not just a case of needing to reach for an extra blanket at night but also set the stage for heightened fire risk, as the NWS highlighted a Fire Weather Watch stretching from late Tuesday night through Thursday afternoon for multiple regions, including the Inland Empire and sections of San Bernardino and Orange Counties, and extend it from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon for areas such as the San Jacinto Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest and San Diego County Inland Valleys, the combination of dry conditions, low humidity, and significant wind poses a clear threat, prompting the NWS to call for heightened caution.
In the realm of aviation and marine navigation, the forecast remains relatively tame. "Mostly clear skies except for FEW-SCT clouds at/above 20000 ft MSL," the NWS briefs, and no hazardous marine conditions are anticipated until the emergence of stronger offshore winds Tuesday night into Wednesday. Lastly, Skywarn activation is not requested at this juncture, although the NWS is urging weather spotters to report any significant weather conditions that may occur during this time.
