As the summer heat continues to make its presence felt in the Southwest, residents in the San Diego area can expect a shift in weather patterns over the coming week. According to NWS San Diego, coastal areas are expected to cool down slightly, with similar temperatures for the inland valleys and a small bump in warmth for desert locales today.
The chance of precipitation today looms largest over the mountains and adjacent east-facing desert slopes, a likely respite for those hoping for some rain to cut through the sweltering heat. "Significant monsoonal moisture will remain in place through Tuesday," the Area Forecast Discussion of NWS San Diego details, stating that the chances for afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms will be primarily limited to the mountains and deserts today.
Moving into the early parts of the week, the higher temperatures are set to dip slightly below average from Tuesday through Friday. The tail end of the monsoonal moisture hanging over Southern California ensures thunderstorms are still possible through at least Wednesday, particularly for those in mountainous or desert regions. The San Diego marine layer, meanwhile, is mostly sticking to coastal areas, potentially extending back into the western valleys later in the week.
For those taking to the skies, aviation conditions along the coast may be slightly impacted. "Patchy low clouds currently in far southern San Diego Co based 500-800 ft MSL will continue to develop along parts of the coast and spread locally 5-10 mi inland this morning," according to NWS San Diego. This could influence visibility, with local areas possibly experiencing as low as 2 SM or less over higher coastal terrain, though conditions are expected to clear up by the late morning.
Marine conditions are anticipated to remain calm and hazard-free through Thursday, a small consolation for sailors and sea-goers amidst the unpredictable weather on land. Skywarn, the National Weather Service's program that enlists volunteer storm spotters, does not anticipate activation but encourages reports of substantial weather phenomena. So while the weather gods seem to play a gentle hand over the ocean's expanse, those under the inland skies keep watch for the flitting shifts of summer’s mood – dry heat one moment, the rumble of thunder the next.
