San Diego is waking up clear and mild this morning, sitting around 57°F at Lindbergh Field, but the calm is on borrowed time. A strong ridge of high pressure is lining up to crank the thermostat later this week, with record-chasing highs expected Thursday and Friday across much of the county.
What To Expect This Week
Tomorrow will bring a gentle warmup into the low 70s around the city, the kind of day locals barely notice. Thursday is the real flip of the switch: highs are forecast to push near 87°F along the coast and into the upper 80s to 90s inland, with the lower deserts eyeing the upper 90s. Friday keeps the heat going with widespread 90s away from the water - temperatures well above seasonal norms and capable of threatening daily records, according to the National Weather Service San Diego.
Winds And Timing
Winds stay on the lighter side today, then pick up tomorrow with northwest breezes around 5 to 15 mph and gusts near 25 mph in more exposed areas. By Thursday, offshore and canyon locations could see stronger gusts, especially through the Cajon Pass and along coastal slopes, where winds may spike into the 30 to 40 mph range. It is a good time to tie down patio furniture and be extra cautious if you are driving a high-profile vehicle through wind-prone passes.
Fog Mornings, Sunny Afternoons
A strengthening marine layer will keep coastal mornings on the cooler, greyer side and help low clouds rebuild overnight. Patchy fog looks most likely late Saturday night into early Sunday, with the usual midday sunshine making a comeback after the clouds burn off. Inland neighborhoods will heat up quickly once the morning overcast breaks, so try to schedule outdoor activities for the cooler morning hours when you can.
Impacts And Safety
Forecasters expect a moderate heat risk for many inland and valley communities, which puts older adults, young children and people who work outside at higher risk for heat-related illness. Shifting heavy yard work, workouts or job tasks to earlier, cooler hours can make a real difference. If you need a place to cool off, you can find local heat resources and designated Cool Zones on the City of San Diego website.
About This Update
This forecast builds on yesterday's heads-up about a gusty-to-warm pattern. Today's details sharpen the timing and emphasize the potential for record-chasing heat Thursday and Friday. We will share additional updates if any watches or warnings are issued.
