Waves, heat returning to San Diego
Strong waves will pound many San Diego County beaches on Monday and Tuesday and will be followed by a warm spell that will raise the wildfire danger across Southern California, the National Weather Service says.
Solspot.com says waves will hit the 4-foot to 6-foot range, with sets to 8-foot, at some west-facing beaches, producing excellent surfing but dangerous rip and side-shore currents. The swell may draw sizable big crowds; sea surface temperatures are still in the 70-72 degree range, which is 6-8 degrees above seasonal levels. Many people are surfing without wetsuits, a rarily in October.
By Wednesday, a high pressure system will settle over the Great Basin, producing an offshore flow and raising temperatures throughout much of San Diego County. The temperature will gradually increase from the mid-70s to low 80s at and near the coast, and the mid-to-upper 80s across inland valleys and foothills.
The average daytime high for San Diego this time of year is 73. The temperature at Lindbergh Field has reached 70 or above every day since May 27th. And the average monthly temperature has been above normal since last November.
The warm temperatures and lack of rain have elevated the wildfire risk in East County, where winds will gust to 25 mph on Thursday and Friday. The conditions, along with low humidity, may bring a wildfire advisory from the weather service.
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