San Diego County is in for a windy start to the week, especially in the mountains and deserts. Forecasters warn that gusts could hit 60 mph in some areas, making for blustery conditions from Monday morning through Tuesday. A wind advisory is in place for spots like Idyllwild-Pine Cove and Julian, where the strongest winds are expected to whip through mountain passes and desert slopes.
Along with the gusty weather, there’s a small chance of rain Monday afternoon. Coastal areas could see about a tenth of an inch, while the mountains might get a quarter inch. Snow levels will start around 7,000 feet but could drop as low as 4,000 feet by Monday night, though any snowfall above 6,000 feet is expected to be light, at an inch or less.
Things will warm up by midweek, with Tuesday and Wednesday bringing calmer winds and higher temperatures. Downtown San Diego’s St. Patrick’s Day forecast looks comfortable, starting off cloudy before clearing up with a high of 63°F and gentle west winds.
The rest of the week will be mild along the coast, with highs in the low-to-mid 60s. Inland valleys will warm up a bit more, reaching the low-to-mid 70s. Mountain areas will stay in the upper 50s to mid-60s, while the deserts will see a gradual warm-up, hitting the low 80s by Thursday.
For those heading out to sea, a gale warning and small craft advisory are in place from Monday evening through Tuesday morning along the coast from San Mateo Point to the Mexican border. Surf is expected to be 4 to 7 feet on Tuesday morning, with strong rip currents making ocean conditions risky for swimmers.
