San Diego is soaking up a classic almost-spring day, with clear skies and a quick warmup to around 76°F expected across the city. After a bright afternoon, some patchy fog is poised to creep back in overnight before a low-pressure system drags rain into parts of the county from Tuesday night into Wednesday. Light onshore breezes rule today, then midweek brings cooler highs and gustier south-southwest winds. If you have outdoor plans, today is the sweet spot, feeling more like April than February.
Afternoon Heat and Light Winds
Sunshine should nudge highs into the mid 70s, topping out near 76°F this afternoon. Along the coast, winds will stay on the tame side, with light northwest breezes around 0-10 mph. Inland neighborhoods will run a bit warmer, with the hourly forecast peaking from late morning into early afternoon.
Drivers, construction crews, delivery workers, and anyone else spending time outside can expect dry, warm conditions through the afternoon. According to the National Weather Service San Diego, the stronger onshore flow holds off until later in the week.
Patchy Fog Tonight
After sunset, the pattern shifts just enough to bring back some low clouds. Patchy fog is expected between about 10 PM and 4 AM, mainly hugging the shoreline and settling into lower-lying neighborhoods. Overnight lows will dip to around 55°F.
Visibility could drop quickly in some areas, potentially affecting late-night drives and the earliest morning commutes. If you hit a fog bank, slow down and stick with low beams. Forecasters expect the fog to mix out by mid-morning Tuesday as clouds thicken ahead of the incoming system.
Rain Returns Midweek
A passing low-pressure system will crank up rain chances Tuesday night into Wednesday, with the best chance of measurable showers during the day Wednesday. Most of San Diego County is in line for light totals, on the order of roughly one-tenth to one-quarter of an inch, while heavier amounts are expected farther north and along the coastal slopes.
Snow levels will stay high, so only the tallest local peaks stand a chance of seeing any wet snow, with those levels rising, then dropping again through Wednesday night. For a deeper dive into the timing and totals, see the National Weather Service discussion.
Mountain and Desert Gusts
As the system moves through, winds will swing around to southerly and southwesterly Tuesday night into Wednesday and ramp up over the mountains and desert slopes. The local forecast flags gusty conditions for the inland foothills, where gusts could reach around 20-35 mph.
The strongest gusts, in the 55-65 mph range, are expected to stay north of San Diego on the lower desert slopes. Around town, it is still a good idea to secure trash cans, outdoor furniture, and anything else that might take off in a strong burst of wind, especially if you live in wind-prone spots or have plans in the higher terrain.
Plan Ahead
If you have flexible plans, today is the day to be outside: bright, warm, and mellow on the wind front. A light jacket should keep you warm on the cooler evening, and having an umbrella handy starting Tuesday night will put you ahead of the curve.
Drivers should keep an eye out for patchy overnight fog and then slick roads during Wednesday's showers. A quick check of local radar before longer trips is a smart move. If your midweek plans include mountain trails or desert overlooks, be ready for stronger winds and reduced visibility at higher elevations.
Related
Hoodline previously covered the recent warm stretch earlier this month, and this update zeroes in on the incoming rain and gusty mountain winds. For background on the recent pattern, revisit the recent warm stretch.
.jpg){kind=link}