San Diego residents are experiencing a significant spike in temperatures across the region, with forecasts suggesting this warmth is only a prelude to even hotter conditions, particularly in the lower deserts. According to a report by NWS San Diego, today, temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees above normal in many areas west of the mountains, with inland areas like the Inland Empire hitting lower 90s and mid to upper 90s in the lower deserts.
The swelter is set to intensify by Tuesday, potentially marking the year's peak in desert heat. Areas like Palm Springs have a "10 percent chance of reaching 100 degrees," and that probability escalates to 40 percent by Tuesday, per a forecast discussion issued by National Weather Service San Diego, CA. Coastal areas should expect a brief respite: "Slight cooling will occur west of the mountains as the flow turns onshore." Meanwhile, a trough of low pressure is predicted to bring cooler weather Wednesday through Friday, with gusty winds in the mountains and deserts.
Ahead of the cooling trend, the city's core will enjoy sunny skies with today's high nudging close to 72 degrees and light winds transitioning from north to west. "Patchy fog before 11am" was noted in the 7-Day Forecast for San Diego, with foggy conditions expected to reappear after 11 PM tonight. Low clouds and fog will likely stay near the coast, giving way to clearer skies inland.
As the week progresses, however, San Diegans should ready themselves for "more general cooling" beginning Wednesday, when temperatures could drop "10-15 degrees lower than Tuesday west of the mtns," as stated in the Area Forecast Discussion. The marine layer is forecasted to deepen, spreading further inland and hinting at a moody change from the sun-soaked days early in the week. By the time the weekend approaches, cooler and cloudier weather will begin to dominate, enforcing a maritime calm likely much welcomed after the desert flirts with triple-digit heat.
For seafarers, the Marine section warns to anticipate "Winds could gust near 20-25 mph with a 50-75% chance of Small Craft conditions in the outer coastal waters Thursday and Friday," suggesting a potential challenge for those looking to take advantage of the cooling conditions at sea, as per the National Weather Service.
