San Diego rolled in today under a thick blanket of marine-layer clouds, cool and gray, with temperatures hovering around 63°F at San Diego International Airport and a chance of light rain before 11 AM. Most neighborhoods should trade the gloom for some afternoon clearing and highs near 65°F, while the coast hangs onto low clouds into late morning. Farther east, mountain and desert communities should brace for stronger gusts later in the day.
Chance Of Morning Drizzle
Light showers or patchy drizzle may hang around through mid-morning, but most spots will see less than a tenth of an inch of new rainfall. The marine layer is unusually deep, at roughly 5,000 feet, so expect low clouds and spotty drizzle to be regular guests during the nights and mornings through Thursday. If you are headed to the shoreline early, a light jacket will come in handy.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Winds along the coast and in the valleys should stay in the 5 to 10 mph range, with gusts up to about 20 mph. In the mountains and deserts, though, it is a different story: those zones are under a Wind Advisory through 5 a.m. Thursday, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph and isolated higher gusts through the passes, according to the National Weather Service San Diego. It is a good day to secure umbrellas and loose patio furniture, and high-profile vehicles or trailers should take it slow on exposed stretches of road.
Boating And Marine Outlook
A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for the outer waters until 1 PM Wednesday, with seas running 6 to 8 feet near San Clemente Island and choppy conditions that spell trouble for small boats. Mariners are better off sticking to protected harbors and tying down loose gear, while beachgoers at more exposed beaches should expect elevated rip currents.
Quick Look Ahead
Late this week, the marine layer should finally start to thin, bringing a slow warm-up with highs reaching the upper 60s on Thursday and Friday and a steady climb into next week for inland neighborhoods. If you have early plans near the shore, keep an eye on those morning clouds; for most inland spots, afternoons are on track to turn sunnier and a bit milder.
