Could Reach 70 M.P.H. : Strong Santa Ana Winds Set to Roar Through S.D.

High Santa Ana winds reaching up to 50 m.p.h. are expected to tear through San Diego County today, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

“Tie down everything. . . . High winds will rip through San Diego with a vengeance,” National Weather Forecaster Wilbur Shigehara said Thursday. “It will be very dangerous for campers, trailers and (tractor-trailer rigs).”

Because of the high winds, Shigehara cautioned people to be extra careful.

“There will be a lot of wind-related problems (today). Just about anybody working outside will seriously be affected by the wind,” Shigehara said. “Twenty-five m.p.h. winds can be dangerous, so people should be careful, because the winds will be stronger.”

The winds are expected to range from 25 to 50 m.p.h., but could reach as high as 70 m.p.h., Shigehara said. The temperature is expected to range between 63 and 68 degrees everywhere.

Shigehara said that the strong winds expected today will be reminiscent of the destructive high winds that combined with rain to wreak havoc in the county last month, uprooting trees, knocking out electrical power to thousands of customers, and forcing authorities to close Interstate 8 to all but passenger cars. The winds also combined with an overnight frost to cause an estimated $15.5 million in damage to crops and nursery flowers in North County fields.

Colder Temperatures Forecast

With the current high winds forecast, cold night and morning temperatures are expected and a frost warning has been issued for Saturday through Monday morning, Shigehara said.

The heavy wind condition is being caused by a strong pressure differential system across the San Diego area, Shigehara said.

“San Diego is caught between a strong low-pressure system to the south of Sonora, Mexico, and a strong high-pressure system pushing from Northern California. The difference between the two pressure systems is very great, which is causing the high wind warnings.”

Shigehara said that beginning tonight the winds will rapidly decrease, and by Saturday afternoon the weather will be near-perfect for outdoor activities. Sunday should be sunny and warm, with only slight winds.

“There will be Chamber of Commerce weather for the weekend, but before we get to it we will have to cross the high winds,” Shigehara said. “The weekend will be nice with a lot of sunshine and temperatures will be mild. It will be very nice for all outdoor activity. But as the winds decrease the temperature will become colder.”

While the high winds will be gone by Saturday afternoon, a storm is expected to reach the San Diego area late next week.

“There is a storm between San Diego and Hawaii that might be a big problem for us late next week,” Shigehara said, “but the beginning of the week looks dry.”

In the inland areas the temperatures will reach the low 70s, and are expected to reach a high of 75 on Sunday. The lows will range between 32 and 42.

Highs today along the coast will range between 67 and 72 degrees, reaching a high of 75 on Sunday. Lows along the coast today and over the weekend will be 38 and 48.

Temperatures in the mountains will range between 42 and 50, with lows of 23 to 33. Desert highs will be 67 to 76.

The surf will be 4 to 5 feet throughout the weekend. The tide will reach a high of 6 feet today and drop several feet over the weekend.