California – Headlights blur into glowing halos along San Diego’s coastline as dense fog settles in early, muting street sounds and shrinking visibility fast. The calm air hides a real hazard for drivers, especially near the coast, where conditions can change block by block.
According to the National Weather Service in San Diego, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect for coastal areas through mid-morning. Visibility may drop to a quarter mile or less in spots, including San Diego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Chula Vista, and National City. The advisory remains active until 9 a.m., when gradual improvement is expected.
Morning travel faces the biggest impact. Drivers on I-5, I-8, and Highway 94 should expect sudden visibility drops, especially near the coast and low-lying areas. Use low-beam headlights, slow down, and leave extra distance between vehicles. Calm winds and high humidity allow fog to linger longer than usual.
Conditions improve late morning, with sunshine returning and highs near 70. Saturday follows a similar setup, with patchy fog early, then clearing into a mild afternoon. Sunday stays mostly cloudy but warm, keeping morning fog a recurring issue for coastal neighborhoods.
Looking ahead to Christmas travel week, meteorologists are tracking a developing shift. Rain chances increase by Tuesday, with steadier showers possible into Wednesday and Christmas Day. While winter weather stays mild at lower elevations, wet roads and reduced visibility could complicate holiday travel plans.
For now, fog remains the primary concern. Give yourself extra time, especially during early drives, and stay alert near intersections and freeway ramps. Conditions may look calm, but visibility can deteriorate quickly.
More updates are expected as rain timing becomes clearer. Are you seeing thick fog where you live? Share what conditions look like on your morning drive.
Five-Day Outlook for San Diego, California:
Saturday: Patchy fog then mostly sunny, high near 67
Sunday: Patchy fog then partly sunny, high near 69
Monday: Patchy fog then partly sunny, high near 69
Tuesday: Chance of rain, high near 68
Wednesday: Rain likely, high near 67
