Final answer:
San Diego has a Mediterranean climate with mild, warm temperatures year-round and low precipitation, concentrated in the winter months. Climate change is causing less predictable weather patterns, with a trend toward more intense precipitation events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general temperature pattern in San Diego is characterized by mild, warm temperatures throughout the year, with an average annual temperature that hovers around a comfortable range. The climate of San Diego is classified as Mediterranean, which implies dry summers and wetter winters.
However, due to its location near the Pacific Ocean, San Diego experiences a more moderate climate compared to other regions at similar latitudes.
General precipitation in San Diego is relatively low, with most of the rainfall occurring during the winter months. The region is affected by a global pattern of dry air masses at about 30° N latitude, which contributes to its overall arid climate.
Despite global shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns that indicate an increase in the intensity of precipitation events, San Diego's annual precipitation does not vary drastically. However, climate change is affecting patterns, leading to less predictable weather events regionally.
Regarding the intensity of precipitation events, research indicates an upward trend in the intensity during rainfall occurrences. Additionally, the city is subject to the effects of nearby oceanic currents, which have a moderating influence on its temperatures.
This is similar to how San Francisco experiences moderated temperatures due to its surrounding bodies of water. Accordingly, San Diego has a narrow temperature range and is less prone to temperature extremes than inland areas.