As Southern California braces for another day of gusty Santa Ana winds, the National Weather Service in San Diego is keeping locals informed about what to expect. According to their latest updates, winds are forecast to reach 30-40 mph in the mountains and near mountain passes on Thursday, but are expected to decrease considerably by evening. The NWS San Diego also noted that weak to moderate Santa Ana conditions are continuing, although the gusts are on a downward trend.
While the winds may be losing some steam, temperatures inland are rising. The service mentioned a spike in highs to around 10 to 15 degrees above the seasonal average. Weather watchers should expect a warm Wednesday courtesy of a strengthening high-pressure system in the region. However, slightly cooler temperatures are anticipated for Thursday and Friday, according to a disclosure by the National Weather Service in San Diego.
The short-term forecast indicates winds will concentrate near and below the Cajon Pass today, with the strongest gusts peaking around 45 mph. On the temperature front, the valleys can bask in highs ranging from the lower to mid-70s near the coast to the mid-80s inland, while the lower deserts will enjoy the lower 80s. "Warming will continue for inland areas today with the greatest warming of high temperatures for the mountains and valleys," states the NWS report. Friday is expected to cool off, but it will still remain significantly warmer than usual for this time of year.
As we look ahead into the weekend and early next week, the NWS forecast paints a stable picture with slight changes. Highs will remain constant over the weekend, followed by a cooling trend as high pressure aloft weakens. The onshore flow, which typically brings cooler marine air inland, is also expected to intensify, gradually lowering temperatures throughout the next week. Coverage of night and morning low clouds and fog is expected to increase near the coast, but its inland spread is not anticipated to extend beyond the coastal areas.
For those concerned about aviation and marine conditions, clear skies and VFR conditions are expected to dominate the Wednesday forecast. However, the NWS warns of potential moderate updrafts, downdrafts, and local low-level wind shear in areas leeward of the mountains after 6 PM. Mariners, on the other hand, can rest easy as no hazardous conditions are on the horizon through Sunday. And finally, for the weather enthusiasts out there, although Skywarn is not actively seeking activation, the NWS San Diego encourages spotters to report significant weather events, emphasizing the collective endeavor to keep the local community informed and prepared.
