Cooler Weekend in Store as Santa Ana Winds Diminish in San Diego County
It had also been warm and dry across San Diego County the past few day. Many people enjoyed the sunshine. Some even felt as if it were another week of late summer. That warm spell was courtesy of the noted Santa Ana winds. These winds blow from the deserts into the ocean. They cause heat, dry air and super low humidity. Some of them can increase temperatures much higher than normal.
But this hot pattern is about to take a turn. The Santa Ana winds will die down heading into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Those winds will give way to cooler onshore winds. These winds originate over the ocean and drive cool, wet air toward land. When this switch occurs, temperatures fall. The air is heavier, and clouds more readily blow into the sky.
In San Diego County this weekend, that is exactly what will be taking place.
Catalina Eddy to Influence Weekend Weather
A Catalina eddy has been one of the more fascinating features in this weather change. A Catalina eddy is a small weather system that spins counterclockwise off the coast of Southern California. It typically occurs near Santa Catalina Island. As the eddy develops, it draws cool and moist air from over the ocean onto land.
The National Weather Service says this eddy will push a deep marine layer into San Diego County. The marine layer is a thick sheet of low clouds that drifts over the coast and valleys. Hong said when the marine layer is very deep, it can extend up to the mountains. That means a bit more weather: cloudy mornings, cooler afternoons and a gentler, gray sky.
Fog can also develop from a Catalina eddy. Such a fog occurs at early morning and late afternoon in the spring. It is thick enough to slow traffic and postpone flights. The San Diego International Airport sometimes grapples with flights in these murky moments. Airplanes might be held on the ground or in lines until visibility improves enough for them to land or take off.
So plan your weekend travel accordingly, if you have any lined up.
San Diego County Will Cool Down This Weekend
Following a few days of balmy Thanksgiving weather, this cooldown will be especially noticeable. It was 75 to 77 degrees in the San Diego County area over Thanksgiving. Beach weather was popular, even at the end of the month. But by the weekend, temperatures will return to normal.
Here is the forecast high temperatures for San Diego County:
Saturday: 67 degrees
Sunday: 66 degrees
Monday: 68 degrees
Tuesday: 67 degrees
For comparison, the seasonal average high this time of year is about 70 degrees. The next few days will feel a bit cooler than usual, but not cold. Most people, however, will continue feel comfortable outside. It’s possible a light jacket will do for mornings or evenings.
Temperatures will pick up slightly on Monday as the marine layer thins. Some sunshine will return. But that warm-up isn’t going to stick around.
A Robust Low-Pressure Center Next Week
Another weather change will come after Monday’s minimal increase in warmth. Southern California to see strong low-pressure system move in. Low-pressure systems typically bring clouds, wind and sometimes rain.
This incoming system could produce scattered showers on Wednesday or Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. The rain, while not heavy, is expected to be durable. But even a little rain can mean wet roads, slower traffic and cooler temperatures.
The system could also create gusty conditions for parts of San Diego County. Winds are expected to gain strength in the mountains and deserts. The coast and valleys could experience some gusts too.
A Rainy November Comes to a Close
It’s going to be wet end for the month of November, at least in San Diego County and particularly at San Diego International Airport. The airport maintains official weather records. And the numbers are particularly stark this month.
San Diego International Airport could reach 3.10 inches of rain by the end of November, which would make it one of the wettest months in several years. That’smultiple times higher than the regular average for November. Normally, the airport receives only about 1.01 inches in the month.
That’s three times more than the average amount of rain for the region.
Such a wet month can increase local soil moisture, support plant growth and lower fire danger. It also refills local reservoirs and groundwater supplies. But there are also challenges when you receive a lot of rain in a short time, like slick roads or minor flooding in low-lying areas.”
What This Means for Residents
San Diegans will want to brace for a cool, cloudy weekend ahead. It’s over, for now: The days are warm that we were having earlier in the week.
Here is what you can expect:
- Gray morning skies
- Thick marine layer
- Some early morning fog
- Cooler daytime temperatures
- Flights may be delayed if the visibility is low.
- A small warm-up on Monday
- A chance of showers midweek
This is typical weather for the region. It’s the natural order of things in coastal Southern California. Hot Santa Ana winds blow in and out. Marine layers ebb and flow. Soft showers of vertical rainfall in set during winter.
And the weather will change as we go into December. More storms may develop. Temperatures may drop slightly more. And sunny ones will blend with cloudy.
Meanwhile, relish the cooler weekend you have ahead of you. If you are traveling, stay safe. Keep an eye on the forecast as San Diego County enters a new week of up-and-down weather.
