Cooler May Gray Weather Pattern Returns to San Diego

News Summary

San Diego County is set to experience a cooler ‘May Gray’ weather pattern starting Monday, following a weekend of record-breaking heat. With temperatures dropping to the mid-60s and strong west winds expected, this weather shift will last throughout the week. Fans heading to Padres games can expect cooler conditions, while beachgoers should prepare for mixed swells and brisk water temperatures. This change comes after several areas recorded high temperatures exceeding previous May records.

San Diego, California – A cooler “May Gray” weather pattern is set to return to San Diego County on Monday, following a recent stretch of record-breaking heat. This weather shift is expected to last throughout the week, leading to cooler temperatures and the likelihood of drizzle on Tuesday.

According to the National Weather Service, strong west winds will develop east of Interstate 15 on Monday night, with gusts potentially reaching up to 45 mph. Particularly strong winds are anticipated along the stretch of Interstate 8 east of Alpine, with these gusts expected to persist into Tuesday.

In terms of temperatures, a significant drop is forecasted, as readings are predicted to fall to the mid-to-low 60s on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. This cooling trend comes after a weekend with unusually high temperatures, with San Diego experiencing an average temperature of 85°F, well above the normal average of 69°F.

The San Diego Padres are scheduled to host the Los Angeles Angels at Petco Park on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, with all games starting at 6:40 p.m. Fans attending the games can expect cooler weather as they make their way to the stadium.

For beachgoers, a mixed swell is anticipated to produce surf heights of 2 to 4 feet on Monday, rising to 3 to 5 feet on Tuesday. Sea surface temperatures are expected to range between 59 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a relatively brisk outing for surfers and swimmers.

This sudden weather change follows a notable heatwave that gripped the region over the weekend, where several locations set new temperature records for the month of May. Ramona and Alpine each soared to 100°F, exceeding their previous records of 91°F set in 1981 and 94°F set in 1960, respectively. Campo recorded a high of 98°F, breaking the 1960 record by four degrees, while Vista touched 91°F, surpassing the previous record set in 1984 by two degrees. Escondido also reported a reading of 99°F, well above its typical average of 76°F.

Prior to the arrival of the May Gray pattern, the region saw temperatures that reached between 10 to 15 degrees above average, especially in coastal and inland neighborhoods, particularly on Sunday. However, forecasts indicate that temperatures will be dropping significantly—by 20 to 40 degrees—across the area by Tuesday, providing much-needed relief from the heat.

In addition to the cooler temperatures, overnight and morning fog is expected for areas west of the mountains on both Sunday and Monday. Meanwhile, breezy conditions will create blowing dust in desert areas up to and including Tuesday, with evening gusts potentially exceeding 50 mph.

The change in weather not only affects daily activities but also brings attention to the community’s outdoor plans, as residents and visitors adapt to the cooler temperatures following an exceptionally warm weekend. Weather officials urge everyone to remain cautious while driving in windy conditions and to prepare for the cooler evenings ahead.

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Author: HERE San Diego

HERE San Diego

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