Early travelers at San Diego International walked out to cloudy skies and mid‑60s temperatures this morning, and the rest of the city is in for more of the same marine layer routine. Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 72°F today. A Beach Hazards Statement is in effect for San Diego County beaches through this evening, with 3 to 5 foot surf and occasional sets to 6 feet that will keep rip currents running strong. The thick marine layer will hold mornings on the cool and foggy side before afternoons clear, and some patchy drizzle is possible overnight into the weekend.
Beach Hazards and Rip Currents
According to the National Weather Service San Diego, surf of 3 to 5 feet with sets to 6 feet is expected on south- and southwest-facing beaches, and strong rip currents are likely through Thursday evening. Lifeguards are urging people to stay out of the water or, at the very least, to swim only in front of attended towers. Small boats and paddlecraft are advised to avoid the surf zone entirely. Localized minor tidal overflow is possible along parts of the coast during high tide, where waves reach 6 feet.
Afternoons Mild, Weekend Cooler With Drizzle
Daytime highs are expected to land around 72°F today, with overnight lows near 62°F, while inland neighborhoods run a few degrees warmer. Onshore flow will strengthen into the weekend and deepen the marine layer, pushing low clouds and fog farther inland. That thicker layer brings a chance of patchy late-night and early-morning drizzle from tomorrow night into Saturday morning. Southwest to west winds will pick up on Saturday, with gusts commonly in the 30 to 40 mph range in mountain passes and potentially up to 75 mph in the northern Coachella Valley below the San Gorgonio Pass.
What To Know Before You Head To The Beach
Plan on cool, gray mornings, so a light jacket is not a bad idea. Check the flags at local lifeguard towers before you even think about going in. If red flags are posted, do not enter the water. If you are planning to boat or paddle, consider postponing or moving to a more sheltered harbor, and make sure someone on shore knows your plan.
Where To Find Updates
We will update this post if conditions change, and the National Weather Service and local lifeguards will be posting advisories and flag updates throughout the day. If you are caught in a rip current, try to stay calm and float, call for help, and then swim parallel to shore when you are able.
