Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Palm Desert, CA

DISCUSSION
FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING ORANGE...
SAN DIEGO...WESTERN RIVERSIDE AND SOUTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES...

This evening...Temperatures were well above seasonal averages inland this afternoon while the coastal areas were near or a few degrees above average. A couple of locations in the lower deserts broke daily records as temperatures there reached 120 degrees at a couple of locations. Mostly variable mid and high clouds with only a few low clouds forming offshore at this hour. Patchy low cloud coverage is expected tonight in the coastal areas due to a very shallow marine layer.

From previous discussion...
An upper level high pressure system will continue to expand west into Thursday, becoming more centered over Southern California.

With the upper level high expanding west across Southern California through Thursday, above average temperatures are expected to continue for inland locations. Highs through Thursday are expected to be 5 to 10 degrees above average for inland locations.
High temperatures will range from the 70s near the coast; to the 90s to 105 for the Inland Empire; and 114 to 118 for the lower deserts. In the mountains below 5000 ft, highs are expected to be in the mid-80 to upper 90s. Widespread moderate HeatRisk is expected for the valleys and mountains, with widespread major HeatRisk in the low deserts. Make sure you're staying hydrated, seeking shade, and avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day if possible.

High pressure aloft will remain over Southern California Friday into early next week, but will weaken slightly and continue to move westward over the Pacific. Highs on Friday are expected to be 4 to 8 degrees cooler than Thursday across the area. For the weekend into the middle of next week, there will be minor day to day fluctuations in highs temperatures. NBM high temperatures for the coast and valleys are forecast to be up to 5 degrees below average with the deserts around 5 degrees above average. The marine layer will deepen Sunday through Tuesday with night and morning low clouds extending inland to the western valleys through the middle of next week.

AVIATION
100315Z
Coast
FEW-SCT high clouds AOA 20 kft. Low clouds based 800-1200 ft MSL return to coastal waters tonight with areas of BKN cigs over coastal SD County after 10Z. 60-70% chance at KSAN and 40- 50% chance at KCRQ for BKN or greater cigs by 12Z tonight.
Scattering to the coast again by 16Z. More extensive low clouds move into coastal areas again after 06Z Fri, based 1000-1500 ft MSL.

Valleys/Mountains/Deserts...VFR conditions and unrestricted vis with FEW-SCT thin high clouds AOA 20 kft through Thu.

MARINE
Northwest wind gusts around 20 kts near San Clemente Island leading to choppy seas this evening, diminishing after 06z. Otherwise, no hazardous marine weather is expected through Sunday.

SKYWARN
Skywarn activation is not requested. However weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions.

SGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
CA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM PDT Thursday for Riverside County Mountains-San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire-San Diego County Mountains-San Diego County Valleys.

Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM PDT Thursday for Coachella Valley-San Diego County Deserts-San Gorgonio Pass near Banning.

PZ...None.