Residents across the San Diego area should brace for a scorcher as temperatures are set to soar above normal, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) San Diego. Inland regions away from the coast are anticipated to experience highs Tuesday, 10-15 degrees above the seasonal average, with Wednesday likely the hottest day of the week. NWS San Diego forecasts valleys and inland Orange County to hit marks that are 10-18 degrees above usual temperatures.
In addition to the heat, weak Santa Ana winds are expected to blow through Tuesday and peak into late Tuesday morning, gusting at 30-45 mph in some mountain passes and in the Santa Ana Mountains while the areas in and below the Cajon Pass and the San Gorgonio Pass may see even stronger winds on Tuesday and Wednesday, easterly winds may reach 25-35 mph in the mountains and foothills of San Diego County, the winds projected to be more localized come Wednesday morning, with the stronger gusts capping at 25 to 35 mph. Highs for inland areas like Orange County and the western Inland Empire could jump from Monday's temperatures by as much as 15 to 20 degrees, with an additional warming of as much as 4 to 8 degrees for coastal regions on Wednesday.
Thursday promises a return to onshore flow which is expected to usher in a cooling trend, starting in coastal areas and eventually spreading inland by Friday, accompanied by the potential return of low clouds and fog during the nocturnal and early morning hours, especially if the temperatures decelerate in cooling Wednesday evening, leaving several coastal and valley locations close to record warmth for both high and minimum temperatures. According to the Area Forecast Discussion by NWS San Diego, "There are a few locations which could be near record levels for high temperatures on Wednesday, mainly for inland coastal areas and the western valleys."
The long-term outlook through the weekend suggests the heat will not relent quickly, with high pressure expected to induce further warming, although the mercury is set to drop early next week as the high pressure system weakens bringing temperatures down some notches; such fluctuations signify the region's battle with contrasting weather patterns, as residents navigate between unseasonable heat and the promise of eventual relief. Aviation and marine conditions are unlikely to face turbulence, with "No hazardous marine conditions are expected through Saturday," and clear skies across the board. However, inland airports may encounter moderate up and down drafts and some low-level wind shear due to gusty North/Easterly winds, per the NWS San Diego.
Amid the soaring temperatures and gusty winds, the NWS has issued a Heat Advisory in effect from 11 AM Tuesday to 7 PM Wednesday, warning residents in the Orange County Inland Areas, the San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys, and San Diego County Valleys to exercise caution. The public is urged to stay hydrated, refrain from strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and never leave kids or pets unattended in vehicles under the sweltering conditions. Skywarn, the NWS's volunteer weather spotter program, is not set to be activated, but spotters are nevertheless encouraged to report any significant weather observations.
