The strong Santa Ana winds that buffeted San Diego County this week and fueled more than a half-dozen raging wildfires will ease a bit on Thursday, but temperatures are expected rise, according to National Weather Service San Diego.
Weather officials are forecasting low 100s in the inland valleys and mid-90s along the coast, with humidity remaining extremely low.
NWS extended a county-wide red flag warning for extreme fire danger until 5 p.m. on Thursday.
“Weak to locally moderate Santa Ana winds will continue across the mountains, coastal slopes and inland valleys, with the strongest winds over San Diego County,” NWS forecasters warned. “Local gusts up to 45 mph will be possible later this morning through the early afternoon.”
On Friday, temperatures are expected to trend downward as the marine layer returns. Daytime temperatures are expected to drop 20-30 degrees between now and Monday, according to NWS.