Strong Santa Ana winds continue to sweep through Southern California, maintaining a grip on the area with persistent gusts, and weather authorities are issuing advisories and warnings. The National Weather Service San Diego reports that northeasterly winds are expected to blow between 25 and 35 mph, with gusts reaching up to 55 mph, alongside isolated incidents potentially hitting 65 mph. These conditions are forecasted to persist into Wednesday afternoon, specifically impacting areas along and below the mountainous coastal slopes.
San Diego residents are advised to prepare for very dry conditions as the lowest daytime humidity is anticipated to drop to around 10%, and overnight recovery will remain poor. There's a silver lining, though; the humidity is expected to recover slightly on Thursday as the winds weaken. Despite this, the risk remains significantly high, prompting the issuance of a Red Flag Warning in effect until 6 PM PST Wednesday for multiple regions, including the Orange County Inland Areas and San Diego County Inland Valleys, according to the National Weather Service San Diego.
Temperature-wise, coastal regions can expect highs today ranging from 66 to 71 degrees, while inland valleys will see slightly cooler temperatures between 59 and 67 degrees. Mountainous areas between 4000 feet and 7000 feet will experience chillier conditions, with high temperatures settling between 41 and 50 degrees. The National Weather Service San Diego details that today's temperatures are expected to be warmer than at the beginning of the week.
As a weak low-pressure system approaches, possibly inland near northern Baja, cooling and a slight chance of precipitation are anticipated for the weekend, especially for San Diego County, with chances for wetting rain about 10 percent. Furthermore, forecasters are predicting the Santa Ana winds to potentially return early next week. The specifics are uncertain, with models showing some differences in timing and a range in intensity from weak to strong, as per the NWS Area Forecast Discussion.
Marine conditions, however, seem to be a bit steadier. No hazardous conditions are expected through Saturday, providing a slight reprieve from the otherwise tumultuous weather patterns affecting land. On the aviation front, clear skies prevail, but areas of gusty northeast winds might pose challenges. Local low-level wind shear and strong up/downdrafts are a concern for some foothills, northern Inland Empire, and inland Orange County.
