San Diego is gearing up for a dynamic week of weather, starting with a warm and windy couple of days. Strong Santa Ana winds are expected to sweep through the region, elevating risks and making it a time for locals to heed the advisory warnings. Gusts reaching up to 60 mph may hit the highest elevations in the San Bernardino Mountains, while coastal areas might skirt close to the 70-degree mark, according to the NWS San Diego.
Temperatures have taken a tumble in the inland valleys, dipping into the 30s overnight. However, mild offshore winds will assist in heating things to the upper 60s and low 70s come daytime. Notably, radiational cooling in the absence of cloud cover fueled the dramatic drop in temperatures, "with some of the coastal areas falling into the 40s, and 30s within the inland valleys," the National Weather Service San Diego reported.
Looking ahead, the region should bask in these warmer conditions through Tuesday before a spell of inclement weather potentially throws a wrench in New Year celebration plans. A low-pressure system from the southwest is expected to bring precipitation on Wednesday and onwards. However, the specifics, such as exact timing and the amount of rain to expect, remain a guessing game. Patchy fog has also made a guest appearance, significantly reducing visibility in some inland areas, such as Ramona. However, these conditions are isolated and are expected to dissipate with sunrise.
Marine conditions are expected to remain stable with no hazards on the radar until Friday. However, on terra firma, a High Wind Watch is in effect from this evening through Tuesday afternoon, covering not only the mountains and passes but also valley regions in San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties. The watch extends to "San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire-San Gorgonio Pass near Banning-Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills," with similar precautions for parts of San Diego, as per the NWS San Diego.
For the moment, Skywarn activation hasn’t been requested yet. Even so, weather spotters are encouraged to stay vigilant and report any significant conditions. The coming days will reveal whether Southern California will slide smoothly into the New Year or if the weather will have its own dramatic entry to the stage.
