San Diegans should prepare for a week marked by a combination of moderate to strong Santa Ana winds and rising temperatures. The coastal mountain slopes, foothills, and valleys are expected to be particularly affected, with winds gusting between 60 to 70 mph in some mountainous areas and over 45 mph in the inland valleys near the foothills, as detailed in the latest reports from the National Weather Service San Diego.
The winds, though set to gradually weaken over the coming week, will likely continue to meet Wind Advisory thresholds through Monday morning. "Winds will gradually weaken and become less widespread through the week as sfc pressure gradients and upper level support weaken," the National Weather Service stated in an Area Forecast Discussion. Furthermore, the persistent dry conditions coupled with the offshore winds will make it unlikely for any marine layer moisture or clouds to return anytime soon.
In regards to temperatures, a warming trend remains on the horizon, with Wednesday and Thursday projected to be the warmest days of the week. Temperatures in the inland valleys are set to reach the low 80s, which is about 15 degrees above seasonal averages. Coastal and desert areas can also expect temperatures 5-10 degrees above average.
The clear skies over the coast, valleys, and mountains mean that the conditions for aviation will remain VFR (Visual Flight Rules) through the weekend. However, pilots should be aware of the possibility of unexpectedly encountering localized strong northeast gusts and moderate up/downdrafts, especially at night. The National Weather Service has highlighted that "Northeast and east winds gusting generally 30-45 kts along coastal slopes" could cause some potential air travel disruptions.
For mariners, the conditions appear to be less challenging, with only sporadic easterly wind gusts of 20 to 25 knots expected through Monday morning. After that, no hazardous marine conditions are anticipated through Thursday. Weather spotters, though not requested for Skywarn activation, are encouraged to remain observant and report any significant weather circumstances.
