Heat levels across the coast and valleys of the San Diego area are set to climb beyond the norm today, with expectations of highs trumping average temperatures by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. This significant temperature increase, however, may be the peak of the warmth before a cooling trend begins to take over towards the weekend. As the National Weather Service in San Diego says, "High temperatures for today will range from the lower to mid 70s near the coast to the 90s for the Inland Empire with 102 to 107 for the lower deserts."
For those living inland, the heat will ramp up another few degrees to approximately 5 degrees, reaching highs considered above average for the season. By Thursday, even as the desert retains its blistering conditions, coastal and valley regions should begin to experience a gradual cool down, a shift forecast to gradually spread further inland through Friday and Saturday. At the marine layer, coastal fog, resulting in locally dense conditions along the coast this morning, may impact visibility. This low cloud presence is expected to expand over time, eventually reaching portions of the inland valleys later in the weekend.
There's also a change coming in terms of winds. Starting Thursday and continuing into Friday, the mountains and desert areas will encounter "stronger and gusty southwest to west winds," according to the NWS San Diego. This could lead to wind gusts measured to 30 to 40 mph, with isolated gusts potentially hitting the 45 to 55 mph mark. Furthermore, the cooling trend isn't just a brief guest; by Saturday, high temperatures will hang within a few degrees of typical averages.
Looking ahead, Sunday may offer a minor retreat from the relief, turning up the thermometer a notch with an increase of a few degrees. Yet, a gradual cooling through the following midweek will bring temperatures back to around average. So while this week starts with intensified heat, residents can look forward to more temperate conditions as a deepening marine layer brings in fairly routine weather patterns. For those venturing near the coast or planning flights out of local airports, be aware that patchy low clouds and fog can affect visibility significantly. "Elsewhere...Clear with unrestricted vis through Thursday mornin," reports the National Weather Service.
