Residents across Southern California are bracing for extreme weather in the coming days. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), temperatures will soar above average shortly, with coastal areas expecting highs between 66 and 73 degrees and western valleys hitting 68 to 78 degrees. By contrast, inland valleys are set for a range of 71 to 77 degrees. However, the increase in warmth is not the only concern – very low humidity is anticipated, with widespread relative humidity values likely to drop below 10% starting Monday and persisting through the week.
Come Monday, the region is also girding itself for moderate to strong Santa Ana winds, which, gusting between 45 to 75 mph in windy locations, could introduce critical fire weather conditions. As mentioned in an Area Forecast Discussion from NWS San Diego, there's a 50-60 percent chance of a moderate-strength Santa Ana event by Thursday. Coupled with the high temperatures and dryness, these winds heighten the risk of wildfires. Having recently enjoyed below-normal temperatures, San Diego's coastal areas and valleys will soon find the mercury climbing up to 10 degrees above the seasonal averages.
As if the high winds and scorching heat weren't enough, the potential for rain clouds the forecast for next weekend. While the chance of precipitation is currently pegged at 20-30 percent, the specifics are still murky at best. Meteorologists will watch how the weather system develops leading up to the weekend. Still, it remains clear that the region faces a mix of weather phenomena that pose distinct challenges.
The forecast spells a Small Craft Advisory for mariners and coastal communities, with winds expected to reach up to 25 knots from Monday night into Tuesday morning. The local marine layer is already causing low visibility, which could affect coastal traffic and operations. On land, a Red Flag Warning from NWS San Diego underscores the gravity of the situation as conditions are ripe for wildfire ignition and spread. These include "strong northeast to east winds developing Monday afternoon and continuing into Tuesday evening leading to critical fire weather conditions."
In addition to the impending Santa Ana winds, both local and national firefighting agencies are on high alert. With humidity levels plummeting and winds expected to whip up, San Diego and surrounding counties could be in for a challenging firefighting environment. All residents have been advised to stay tuned to updates and prepare for the volatile weather conditions ahead.
