The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a weather update for the region. Moisture from Tropical Storm Priscilla is expected to bring a series of weather changes through the weekend. According to the NWS San Diego's forecast, the region will see chances for showers and thunderstorms beginning today and continuing into Saturday morning due to a low-pressure system drawing moisture northward.
Residents in the coastal basin can expect cloudy conditions with sporadic light showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms, particularly Thursday evening through early Friday. "The bulk of the moisture from Priscilla will stay to the south and east of San Diego County but enough moisture should make it into the region for a chance of showers and potentially isolated tstms from the deserts to the coast," as reported by the NWS San Diego. Weather spotters, though not formally activated, are encouraged to report any significant weather conditions actively.
Inland areas are not spared, with the mountains anticipating intermittent showers that will carry on into Friday morning, followed by thunderstorms later in the afternoon and evening. Most activity is expected to move east by Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, desert locales are also preparing to face showers paired with thunderstorms on Friday, which could provoke localized urban flooding, especially with heavier rain rates. This information aligns with additional details provided by the NWS San Diego, suggesting an uneven distribution of rain with some mountain locations possibly receiving up to an inch between today and Saturday.
The weekend forecast also calls for attention on the water. Boaters should be wary as northwest winds might occasionally exceed 20 knots around San Clemente Island on Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings. The NWS San Diego warns, "There is a slight chance of thunderstorms today through Friday, most likely during the afternoons. Lightning, erratic winds, choppy seas, and/or reduced visibility in heavy rain is probable in the vicinity of any thunderstorm." Beachgoers are also advised of the 5-15% chance of thunderstorms producing lightning today and Friday.
Looking ahead, a drying pattern with the return of the marine layer is expected for Sunday and Monday, with overall dry and more typical conditions. Nevertheless, another system seems to be on track to bring cooler temperatures, stronger westerly winds, and another round of precipitation by next Tuesday and Wednesday, although with a higher degree of uncertainty as outlined by the diverse model solutions. The NWS San Diego and a separate surface analysis stipulate this variability, suggesting the weather next week could still take several turns.
