San Diego is waking up to a split-screen kind of Friday. Along the beaches, it is cloudy, cool, and hovering around 65°F, while inland valleys and desert pockets are already baking in far hotter air. Heat Advisories and an Extreme Heat Warning from the National Weather Service remain in effect for inland mountains, valleys and desert zones through 8 p.m. tonight. The morning marine layer should thin by mid to late morning, leaving mild afternoons near the water and much warmer conditions as you move away from the coast.
Today and Tonight
Coastal neighborhoods are expected to top out near 73°F this afternoon under light southerly breezes, with mid 70s inland and significantly hotter readings in the deserts. Tonight stays on the mild side, with lows around 64°F near the bay and in the upper 60s inland. Those heat alerts remain posted through 8 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service San Diego.
Who Should Take Precautions
Anyone in the hotter inland zones without air conditioning, as well as older adults, young children and outdoor workers, should take extra care during peak afternoon heat. The city and county maintain public cooling options, and you can check listings online or call 2-1-1 for local cool-zone locations through the City of San Diego. Drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours, and do not leave children or pets in parked cars, even for a short errand.
Weekend Outlook
Saturday should ease things just a bit, with highs near 75°F, but the air will start to feel stickier as monsoonal moisture begins to creep in on Sunday. That added humidity brings a chance of isolated late-day showers or thunderstorms over the mountains and deserts through the middle of next week, according to the National Weather Service San Diego. Coastal neighborhoods are expected to stay mostly dry and mild.
Drivers near the immediate coast may face a slow-go start, with low clouds and reduced visibility for the morning commute until about 10 to 11 AM. After that, skies should clear for pleasant afternoons near the water. Winds will stay generally light, around 0 to 10 mph, through the weekend, so there are no major gust concerns on tap. If you are planning outdoor time in the inland or desert regions, try to shift the heavy lifting to the morning or evening, and check updated forecasts before heading out.
