San Diego residents can expect to see cooler temperatures and increased chances of rain as the weekend approaches, with the National Weather Service (NWS) in San Diego forecasting a distinctly wet pattern. According to the NWS San Diego forecast, "Cooler temperatures will continue to spread further inland Wednesday," with conditions cooling down even more towards the end of the week. This cooling trend is confirmed by the Area Forecast Discussion, which also indicates periods of precipitation are expected for Thursday night through the weekend, potentially heavy at times, particularly from late Friday into Sunday.
The detailed forecast suggests a shift from the region's typically warm climate, indicating that high temperatures will "continue to cool for today and Thursday," as per the Area Forecast Discussion. In fact, we're expecting temperatures a few degrees below average as we head into Friday. The cooling is accompanied by, not solely due to, a shift to a more autumnal ambiance, as well as an incoming storm system expected to increase cloudiness and bring gusty winds. While the NWS San Diego suggests that "high temperatures for the coast and valleys as much as 5 to 10 degrees below average," coastal areas have already been experiencing low clouds and fog, with lower visibilities mostly near the mesas.
Snow levels are also expected to drop, mostly remaining above 10,000 feet through Thursday, then gradually falling to around 9,500 feet on Friday and 7,500 feet on Saturday, as mentioned in the Area Forecast Discussion. This could result in a white cap on some of the region's peaks, and considering the potential for heavy rain, it may lead to concerns about flash flooding or debris flows, especially in burn scar areas.
For those living in Orange and southwestern San Bernardino Counties, rain totals from the storm could be significant. The Area Forecast Discussion states, "it now ranges from around 2.5 inches near the coast to 3 to 5 inches for the mountains with locally greater amounts." Meanwhile, San Diego County is not left out, with coastal areas expecting 2 to 2.5 inches of rain and 3 to 4 inches in the mountains. Mariners should also be aware of this weather pattern, as a storm system is expected to approach on Friday and move through Saturday, increasing southerly winds and seas. However, conditions are not currently forecasted to reach hazardous levels. Nevertheless, there's a slight chance of thunderstorms Friday afternoon through Saturday, which should be monitored closely.
