The National Weather Service in San Diego is forecasting a notable shift in weather patterns for Southern California, warning of cooler temperatures and strong gusty winds. According to the NWS forecast office, coastal areas today can expect temperatures ranging from 59 to 62 degrees, a few degrees cooler than Monday. Further inland, temperatures in the western valleys and Orange County will lie between 59 to 65 degrees, with the inland valleys experiencing a slightly broader range of 53 to 64 degrees. The mountain regions between 4000 and 7000 feet will see the thermometer drop to 39 to 49 degrees, while the high and low deserts will be milder, up to 59 and 74 degrees, respectively.
Strong winds are also a key concern, with gusts of 45 to 55 mph forecast for the mountains and deserts, creating potentially hazardous conditions. "Areas of strong and gusty west winds continuing for the mountains and deserts through tonight with the stronger gusts to 45 to 55 mph with isolated stronger gusts,” the NWS San Diego stated. Coastal and valley areas are not spared, facing gusts of 30 to 40 mph and 25 to 35 mph in the Inland Empire throughout the afternoon and early evening.
Moving through the week, the unsettled weather patterns will persist. "A low pressure system over the southwest states will maintain cooler conditions into Thursday along with occasional periods of showers along with a slight chance of thunderstorms for Thursday afternoon," highlighted in the Area Forecast Discussion provided by NWS San Diego. Additional snowfall is expected, particularly above 5000 to 5500 feet, with the possibility of 3 to 5 inches accumulating and possibly 5 to 9 inches on higher peaks above 7500 feet.
For the mariners and beachgoers, caution is advised as gales and steep seas are expected in the outer waters through Wednesday morning. "Winds increase and seas build today, with gales and steep seas in the outer waters and hazardous winds and seas in the inner waters through Wednesday morning," detailed the NWS report. Surf conditions along the coast will also be elevated, contributing to a high rip current risk. Regarding aviation, travelers can expect SCT to BKN clouds with areas of moderate up/down drafts and potential for localized low-level wind shear and rotors, especially in the vicinity of mountains.
