San Diego woke up under cloudless skies today, with the official KSAN reading coming in around 57°F this morning. Inland neighborhoods are already warming fast and are on track for an unusually hot afternoon, with some spots flirting with 81°F. For late February, this is more than just a warm day; it is a full-on winter heat spell for much of the county.
Afternoon Heat And Possible Records
Highs this afternoon are expected to top out in the upper 70s to low 80s, with a forecast peak near 81°F across many inland areas. A strong ridge overhead combined with a weak offshore flow is driving the spike, and forecasters say several daily records could end up tied or broken. For the full breakdown, including the detailed discussion, check the latest from the National Weather Service San Diego.
Foggy Mornings, Sunny Afternoons
Onshore flow makes a comeback overnight, which will help patchy coastal fog redevelop before about 10 a.m. tomorrow, and again Monday and Tuesday mornings. After the fog burns off, expect mostly sunny afternoons as the marine layer slips back inland and temperatures gradually ease toward more typical late February and early March values through Monday.
Marine And Wind Concerns
The NWS has also posted a Small Craft Advisory for offshore waters from 4 p.m. tomorrow, through 9 p.m. Monday, March 2, so operators of smaller boats should plan to stay in port or avoid open water during that window. Stronger and gusty west winds are likely Sunday and Monday in the mountains and deserts, with forecast gusts of 30–40 mph in wind-prone passes and gusts up to about 20 mph in valley areas. Recreational mariners and beachgoers should check tide and buoy reports before heading out.
What To Do
If you will be outside, aim for morning hours for exercise or errands, carry water, and grab shade during the afternoon peak. Check on older neighbors and remember not to leave pets or children in parked cars as temperatures spike. If you have boating plans, move your craft to safe harbor ahead of the Small Craft Advisory period.
We published a preview of this warm spell yesterday; this update folds in today’s observed readings and the new offshore advisory details. For more context on how this pattern set up, see our earlier warm-up preview. We will keep readers posted as onshore cooling continues through next week.
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