Calm, cool weather is expected in San Diego County today, but "potentially strong" Santa Ana winds are right around the corner.
Among the peak wind gusts clocked around the county Tuesday were 42 miles per hour in Alpine, Buckman Springs and Sill Hill; 39 mph on Big Black Mountain; 37 mph in Campo; 36 mph in Potrero; 34 mph in Descanso; 32 mph in Santa Ysabel; 22 mph on Mt. Woodson, and 19 mph in Ocotillo Wells, according to the National Weather Service.
Only light winds are expected throughout the county today and Thursday, but forecasters said Santa Ana winds would begin whipping through the region by Friday.
"Tranquil and cool weather will prevail today and tonight,'' according to the weather service. "A trough of low pressure deepening over the Southwest on Thursday will bring stronger and more widespread gusty offshore winds Thursday night through Saturday.''
Light winds on Thursday will ramp up Friday to 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the mountains and to between 15 and 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph in the deserts. Winds of 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph are expected along the coast and in the valleys Friday.
"Increasing upper level support and a tightening pressure gradient throughout the day on Friday is forecast to lead to increasing gusty northeasterly winds during the day on Friday, peaking Friday night,'' according to the weather service.
