San Diego residents are buckling down for inclement weather, as reports from the National Weather Service (NWS) in San Diego announce a varied mix of high winds, showers, and potential snowfall across the region. Coastal area temperatures are set to be slightly cooler than last Tuesday, ranging from 56 to 62 degrees, while inland Orange County and valleys can expect highs from 59 to 64 degrees.
As for the winds, “Areas of gusty west winds for tonight through Thursday evening, strongest for the mountains and deserts with gusts to 45 to 55 mph and isolated gusts to 55 to 65 mph,” according to NWS San Diego. The NWS has also highlighted that this system could bring rainfall amounting to one-third to two-thirds of an inch near the coast and 1 to 1.5 inches in the mountains. The high desert, however, will see considerably less precipitation, with mostly less than a quarter inch anticipated.
Furthermore, snowfall is a noteworthy aspect of this weather event. Initially, at around 8,000 feet, snow levels may drop to 4,000 feet late into the night before fluctuating. Variable amounts of snow are possible, with “4 to 8 inches is possible from 5000 to 6000 feet, 8 to 12 inches from 6000 to 7500 feet, and 12 to 16 inches above 7500 feet,” as reported by the NWS San Diego. These conditions have prompted a Winter Storm Warning for certain areas and a Winter Weather Advisory for others, specifically in the county mountains.
Marine conditions are also expected to grow more severe, "Westerly winds will strengthen and seas will build tonight and continue at times into Friday morning, generating hazardous boating conditions," according to the NWS's Area Forecast Discussion. Surfers and beachgoers should exercise caution as an elevated surf of 3-6 feet with sets up to 7 feet is expected on Thursday, with a slight chance of thunderstorms and potential beach lightning in the evening.
