Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS San Diego, CA
Issued by NWS San Diego, CA
100 FXUS66 KSGX 262050 AFDSGX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Diego CA 150 PM PDT Fri Apr 26 2024 .SYNOPSIS... It will be cool and windy today and tonight, with some light showers mainly in San Diego County and in foothills of mountains. There is also a small chance of thunderstorms in the higher mountains and adjacent areas late this afternoon and evening. Fair weather will return Saturday with higher pressure aloft. The marine layer will continue to furnish low clouds near the coast each night and morning, with seasonal temperatures next week. && .DISCUSSION...FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING ORANGE... SAN DIEGO...WESTERN RIVERSIDE AND SOUTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES... The murky cloudiness and drizzle from this morning has lifted and busted up somewhat this afternoon, especially at the coast. Strong westerly winds continue in the lee slopes of mountains into the deserts with isolated gusts over 60 mph around San Gorgonio Pass. A vigorous shortwave of low pressure will shoot through interior SoCal this evening. This will continue to force strong winds in the mountains and deserts, but also boost coastal winds this afternoon. Isolated to scattered light showers will continue, mainly in foothills today. As the wave axis moves through this afternoon and evening, it will bring colder air aloft, destabilizing the atmosphere especially in the interior. That`s why there`s a small chance of thunderstorms over the higher mountains in SBD and RIV Counties and adjacent valleys late this afternoon and evening. San Diego County valleys will get an enhanced chance of showers during this time. Showers and winds decrease overnight and all that`s left by sunrise Saturday will be the clouds from mountains westward. Clearing out Saturday should get an early start in Orange County before the rest of the area clears out by late morning, although some cumulus clouds will form over the mountains. Weak high pressure aloft will bring fair and warmer weather next week. High temperatures all week will be near normal at the coast and slightly above normal inland. A coastal eddy and a persistent marine layer will contribute coastal clouds during the nights and mornings. While uncertainty continues in the upper air pattern next week, the range of outcomes is rather small. A weak ridge pattern will prevail. For now it looks like fair and truly spring-like weather, with seasonal temperatures and low clouds near the coast during nights and mornings. && .AVIATION... 262040Z...Coast/Valleys/Foothills...Low clouds with cigs around 3000 feet MSL with tops to 5000 feet MSL. Some DZ/-RA. Local vis 3-5SM with higher terrain locally obscured. West wind gusts 20-30 kts. Mountain Ridges/Deserts...Areas of west to northwest winds with surface gusts 25-40 kt. Occasional LLWS and rotors along desert slopes and adjacent desert areas, including vcnty KPSP, along with MOD to STG up/downdrafts. Areas of reduced vis 3-5SM in BLDU in deserts. Chances are moderate to high for wind gusts greater than 45 kts. Slight chance of thunderstorms near mountains. && .MARINE... Strong northwest winds and higher combined seas with choppy conditions will generate hazardous boating conditions through early Saturday, especially beyond 15 nautical miles offshore. Gale force winds are possible at times tonight near San Clemente Island. The Small Craft Advisory contains further details. Winds and seas subside late Saturday and calmer winds and seas are expected for Sunday into the middle of next week. && .BEACHES... Short-period wind swells will produce some elevated surf, mainly on exposed west-facing beaches of San Diego County. Surf and swells will peak this afternoon with sets to 7 feet then subside tonight into Saturday. && .SKYWARN... Skywarn activation is not requested. However weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions. && .SGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CA...Beach Hazards Statement through Saturday morning for Orange County Coastal Areas-San Diego County Coastal Areas. Wind Advisory until 11 PM PDT this evening for Apple and Lucerne Valleys-Coachella Valley-Riverside County Mountains-San Bernardino County Mountains-San Diego County Deserts-San Diego County Mountains-San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning. PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM PDT Saturday for Coastal Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 30 nm. Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM PDT Saturday for Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border Extending 30 to 60 nm out including San Clemente Island. && $$ PUBLIC...MM AVIATION/MARINE/BEACHES...Small