High pressure will keep the weather warm over San Diego County this weekend as the smoke layer caused by the Valley Fire slowly thins, the National Weather Service said Saturday.
Marine clouds and fog should remain patchy and confined to coastal areas, forecasters said. Cooler weather is expected for later next week as a low-pressure trough arrives over the West Coast.
While radar does show some lessening of the smoky sky caused by last week's Valley Fire, satellite imagery showed the smoke continuing in place Saturday morning, the NWS said.
"Satellite imagery does show less smoke over the southern half of San Diego County, but there is more dense smoke aloft moving in from the north, so really everywhere today looks to continue with hazy sunshine due to the smoke aloft and this will continue through at least Sunday," forecasters said.
It's the weekend! ?
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) September 12, 2020
The good news is that temperatures will be near seasonal normals. Check out the forecast highs for a few select cities below!
The bad news? We will probably still be seeing some smoke aloft at times this weekend. #cawx pic.twitter.com/2CIVkOiyPt
High temperatures along the coast Saturday will be 76-81 degrees with overnight lows of 57-64, the NWS said. Inland highs will be 84-89 with overnight lows of 54-60.
Western valley highs will be 87-92, with 92-97 in the foothills. Mountain highs will be 87-94 with overnight lows of 53-62. Desert highs will be 103-108 with overnight lows of 69-76.
"No big weather changes are on tap for Southern California over the next few days," forecasters said. "A shallow marine layer may produce some patchy night and morning clouds and fog along the coast, but daytime temperatures will remain elevated. The longer nights, dry air, and light wind will create a bigger spread in overnight lows through Monday."
For next week, a ridge will strengthen for even warmer weather through midweek, the weather service said. No strong winds were forecast.
"Bigger changes are in the works for later next week as the ridge, which has been with us much of this month, is replaced by a longwave trough along the West Coast," forecasters said. "A gradual cooling trend will set in by next Thursday as onshore flow strengthens and the marine layer deepens. Look for the cooler weather to stick with us at least into the following week."
