San Diegans can expect a range in weather conditions this week, with a sprinkling of light showers followed by cooler temperatures and potential rainfall mid-next week, according to the National Weather Service San Diego. As of this Saturday morning, residual moisture from the tropical storm Priscilla has been causing light showers in parts of San Diego and Riverside Counties. However, conditions are set to dry up by the afternoon, with the return of the marine layer in the coming days. NWS San Diego indicated that "by mid-morning the showers will move to the northeast and clouds will decrease through the afternoon."
The forecast calls for a mix of temperatures across the region today, ranging from highs of 70 to 76 near the coast, to 76 to 80 in western valleys and inland Orange County, and 76 to 84 in the inland valleys. Some wind gusts in mountain and desert locations might reach 35 to 40 mph this afternoon. For folks planning for Sunday, the temps will remain similar in coastal and valley areas but drop slightly in the mountains, high desert, and low desert. Despite the fleeting nature of the rain, a low-pressure system traveling from the north is expected to cast light showers across most of the area next Tuesday and Wednesday. As the system approaches, "the westerly winds will be strongest this afternoon," according to the Area Forecast Discussion from the National Weather Service San Diego.
As San Diego's week progresses, the region will brace for a low-pressure system bringing cooler air and chances for precipitation Tuesday through Wednesday, as stronger westerly winds prevail. The mountains and deserts, always keen to prove their resilience, will face wind gusts potentially reaching 50 to 55 mph by Monday night and Tuesday morning. "Forecast details are still somewhat uncertain but current rainfall estimates are for a few hundredths of an inch over San Diego County to nearly an inch over the western portions of the San Bernardino Mountains," noted NWS San Diego.
Temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday could dip 15 to 20 degrees below typical inland temperatures, while the low deserts may cool off by as much as 10 degrees below usual. Amidst the weather fluctuations, San Diego mariners should watch for moderate northwest winds in the outer coastal waters, especially this afternoon and evening near San Clemente Island. According to the NWS San Diego marine forecast, "wind gusts occasionally exceeding 20 knots" around the island are possible, though no hazardous marine conditions are expected until at least Monday. A change in wind direction is anticipated by Tuesday with the arrival of the new weather system.
San Diego's weather spotters, though not officially activated, are encouraged to report any significant weather conditions to NWS San Diego, as regional forecasts rely on community reports to fine-tune predictions. While temperatures climb gradually towards the end of next week, this serves as a reminder that even in the post-summer stillness, the skies command their presence with unpredictable shifts and sways, carrying remnants of distant storms and the fresh chill of forthcoming ones.
