
The National Weather Service San Diego has issued Red Flag and High Wind Warnings for various regions, including mountains and western valleys, due to the persistence of strong Santa Ana winds expected to continue until early Friday. According to the National Weather Service, winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts reaching up to 60 to 70 mph and isolated cases soaring up to 75 to 85 mph are expected in the San Diego County mountains during the day on Thursday.
These weather conditions bring warmer temperatures, with coastal areas seeing highs ranging from 68 to 76 degrees. Inland Orange County and western valleys are experiencing even higher temperatures, estimated between 75 and 80 degrees. The National Weather Service reminds travelers that high-profile vehicles may be particularly susceptible to dangerous conditions under such high winds. Commuters are urged to drive safely, especially in the highlighted regions.
Humidity levels are critically low, with minimum daytime relative humidity dropping to around 5 percent daily through Thursday. A slight recovery to 5 to 10 percent is expected in inland areas by Friday, presenting serious fire weather concerns. Amidst these arid conditions, residents are advised to exercise extreme caution to prevent potential wildfires.
A shift in conditions is on the horizon as a cold, low-pressure system from the northwest is forecasted to bring rainfall and snow over the weekend. This precipitation could substantially recover humidity, providing much-needed relief from the dry spell. Mountain areas are predicted to receive snowfall,l with estimates suggesting that elevations above 7000 feet could gather about 12 inches or more of snow during the weekend, according to the discussion from the NWS San Diego. Showers may linger into early next week, depending on the eastward movement of the low-pressure system.
Ship operators and marine enthusiasts also need to be wary as there is a slight chance of thunderstorms late Saturday that could bring erratic winds and hazardous conditions. Otherwise, marine conditions are expected to remain non-threatening through Sunday. For the safety and awareness of the community, Skywarn activation is not required at the moment, but weather spotters are nonetheless encouraged to report significant weather occurrences.