As Southern Californians prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, the National Weather Service San Diego is forecasting warmer temperatures and Santa Ana winds. According to a NWS San Diego forecast, residents can expect Santa Ana winds to develop Tuesday through Thursday, reaching peak gusts of 30-45 mph, particularly through favored passes, canyons, and foothills, with the warmest temperatures on Wednesday, climbing to 10 to 14 degrees above average for parts of the valleys.
The area will experience a notable rise in temperatures as the winds pick up, with high pressure combining with a weak offshore flow. This pattern is not unusual for the region, yet it comes with an increased risk of wildfires due to the dry, gusty conditions despite the autumn calendar. Cooling will start to make its way inland on Thursday, a shift that continues into the weekend with a subsequent drop in temperatures, according to a NWS San Diego Area Forecast Discussion. The discussion emphasizes that this cool-down will extend into a more significant chill come Sunday and Monday, as temperatures fall below average. The possibility of precipitation looms between 35 and 45 percent; however, the specifics of when and how much rain might fall during this time remain ambiguous.
In terms of Thanksgiving Day itself, while high clouds are expected to roll in, the temperatures will still sit around 5 to 10 degrees higher than what's normal, creating a warmer atmosphere for holiday gatherings. Yet, as people enjoy these balmy conditions, the admonition from the NWS serves as a reminder of the fluidity of the weather, encapsulated by the weak low-pressure system that's nudging its way towards Southern California.
Moving into the long-term outlook, Friday and Saturday will maintain the cooling trend that kicks off on Thanksgiving, bringing temperatures closer to seasonal norms as we head into the weekend, and by Sunday, the potential for measurable rainfall increases although the forecast remains uncertain about the actual outcomes, an alert that suggests umbrellas might be as needed as sunscreen was earlier in the week. Marine conditions seem to mirror this tranquility until late Saturday or Sunday, when the approaching storm system might disrupt the calm seas, a scenario that merits attention from coastal goers and seafarers alike, for there is also mention of low-level turbulence and gusty winds that could extend to affect inland areas and even create hazards for aviation.
