San Diegans, brace yourselves for a scorching weekend followed by a drastic temperature dip next week, as reported by the National Weather Service. In what's shaping up to be an extreme temperature shift, highs today are set to sizzle 10 to 15 degrees warmer than Thursday in the valleys and inland Orange County, spiking around 20 degrees above average in the Inland Empire. Coastal spots can anticipate highs from 73 to 84, while inland valleys could boil between 89 and 99 degrees, according to NWS San Diego.
This heatwave aims to turn the thermostat up even further on Saturday, threatening to push temperatures another few to around 5 degrees higher than Friday. The Inland Empire is on track to bake at a record-smashing 20 to 25 degrees above the normal mark. The heat advisory, spotlighted by NWS, expects the lower deserts to swelter from 104 to 108 degrees, a notable rise from today's soaring 101 to 106 degrees.
However, relief is on the horizon for some as Sunday's forecast indicates an approximate 5 to 10-degree cooldown for coastal and valley areas, although the low deserts won't experience much of a change. This cooldown comes ahead of a more significant temperature drop slated early next week. By Tuesday, mountain areas could witness highs plummet 15 to 20 degrees below average, transforming extreme heat to fall-like conditions, per Area Forecast Discussion from NWS San Diego.
Maritime conditions remain stable despite the inland inferno. Coastal fog creeping in tonight through Saturday morning might affect water visibility, but no severe marine issues are expected through Tuesday. As for the sky, weather spotters can rest easily since Skywarn activation is not requested, but they are encouraged to stay vigilant and report significant meteorological deviations.
Amid this heat episode, climate records are at risk of being rewritten. NWS San Diego highlighted several locations, including Ramona and Palomar Mountain, that are poised to match or shatter historical highs by Saturday. In addition, warm overnight lows might also set new benchmarks at places like Riverside and Alpine. As the heat exacerbates, locals are reminded to stay hydrated, seek shade, and watch out for heat-related illnesses during this advisory period.
