California’s coastline wakes up muted and gray this morning, with headlights glowing through mist and moisture hanging low over roads. Drivers across San Diego County are starting the week with limited visibility, and conditions are setting the stage for a wetter, more disruptive pattern by Christmas Eve.
According to the National Weather Service in San Diego, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect this morning, with visibility dropping to a quarter mile or less in coastal and valley areas. Motorists should slow down, use low beams, and allow extra braking distance during early travel.
Fog thins later today, but clouds linger as temperatures climb into the upper 60s. Tonight stays cloudy and mild, keeping roads damp and visibility variable. Tuesday brings a noticeable shift. Rain develops by late afternoon, then spreads more steadily into Tuesday night as winds increase.
A Flood Watch is in effect from early Wednesday through late Wednesday night. Meteorologists say an atmospheric river will bring widespread moderate to heavy rain, with the heaviest totals expected Wednesday morning through evening. Rainfall rates could reach half an inch to one inch per hour in spots, especially near foothills, mountains, and desert slopes.
Urban flooding is possible, along with rising water in creeks, streams, and low-lying roadways. Travel could deteriorate quickly during heavier bursts, particularly on I-5, I-8, and surface streets prone to ponding. Residents in flood-prone areas should prepare now by clearing drains and avoiding flooded roadways.
Christmas Day stays wet and unsettled, with rain continuing and roads remaining slick. While temperatures stay mild, hazards persist due to saturated ground and runoff.
Conditions may change quickly as the storm approaches. Driving this morning or traveling for Christmas? Tell us what you’re seeing where you are.
Five-Day Outlook for San Diego, California
- Monday: Morning fog, then cloudy; high near 67°F
- Tuesday: Cloudy, rain late; high near 66°F
- Wednesday: Heavy rain and breezy; high near 68°F
- Christmas Day: Rain, mostly cloudy; high near 66°F
- Thursday: Showers linger; high near 63°F
