San Diego wakes up mostly cloudy and about 72°F today, with that familiar sticky, humid feel hugging the coast. The bigger issue is in the water: a High Surf Advisory is up for south- and southwest-facing beaches until 11:00 PM today, bringing dangerous surf, strong longshore currents and pockets of beach erosion.
Afternoon Heat And Inland Warmup
Along the coast, expect the usual marine-layer shuffle by afternoon, with highs landing in the upper 70s to low 80s. Inland corridors reach around 81°F today, then crank up further tomorrow, before jumping more sharply on Thursday. Inland highs will run several degrees above normal, with parts of the Inland Empire reaching the mid-90s to around 107°F, and the lower deserts heating up to about 112–116°F. A Heat Advisory is in place from 10:00 AM tomorrow through 8:00 PM next Monday, and an Extreme Heat Watch covers the desert zones during that stretch, according to NWS San Diego.
Beach Hazards And Rough Surf
Southerly-facing beaches are taking the brunt of it. The current swell is driving 4–7-foot breakers with sets up to 8 feet through tonight, and lifeguards are flagging a high risk of rip currents. Another elevated southerly swell is expected to build tomorrow evening and push surf higher through late Saturday, with 6–8-foot surf possible at the most exposed south-facing beaches and more persistent longshore currents. Give the heavy shore break some space, heed posted flags, and skip any surf that is beyond your comfort level.
Wind, Waves And Boating Conditions
Morning low clouds should clear back from inland spots, but the wind will not stay quiet for long. By tomorrow afternoon, winds pick up over the mountains and through passes, with northwest gusts of 20–40 mph along slopes and up to 50 mph funneled through the Banning Pass. Out near San Clemente Island, mariners face about a 75% chance of gusts over 20 knots tomorrow and Thursday. A mix of swell and choppy seas will leave outer waters steep on Thursday and Friday, so small craft should be ready for bumpy conditions and check local marine forecasts and lifeguard notices before heading out.
Staying Safe On Shore And Inland
If you are hitting the beach today, park yourself near a lifeguard tower, follow the flag system, and if a rip current grabs you, stay calm, swim parallel to shore, then angle back in when you are clear of the pull. Inland, as temperatures spike later this week, avoid hard outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day on Thursday and through the weekend. Drink plenty of water and take breaks in air conditioning through the county's Cool Zones or by calling 2-1-1. For the latest advisories and cooling resources, see the NWS San Diego forecast and the county Cool Zones program at San Diego County Cool Zones.
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