Windier, wetter weather is expected for San Diego County this week, with a gradual warming trend over the holidays into next weekend.

The San Diego coast may experience a light drizzle early in the week, with light winds, partly cloudy conditions throughout the week and highs in the low to upper 60s.

A fast-moving trough of low pressure will move across the West Coast on Tuesday – Christmas Eve – bringing windy and wet conditions to the region, the National Weather Service said.

“Onshore westerly winds will increase Tuesday and peak Tuesday evening, strongest in the mountains, over passes and into the deserts,” San Diego NWS said. “The current forecast is for peak wind gusts of 35-45 mph, locally up to 55 mph in wind prone locations.”

Inland valleys will be partly cloudy throughout the week, with a slight chance of rain Tuesday afternoon and highs in the mid 60s to low 70s. Light showers are also expected in mountain areas through Tuesday, with partly cloudy weather and high temperatures in the low 60s.

“Periods of high clouds are expected throughout the day. Areas of fog are possible in the western valleys, locally near the coast, tonight into Monday morning,” the NWS said. “Near-average temperatures are expected near the coast, with above-average temperatures away from the coast until Tuesday.”

Monday’s surf forecast for San Diego calls for a high-risk rip current, with surf reaching 6 to 10 feet, a set height of 12 feet and a west swell of 270 degrees. Forecasters said waves 8 to 9 feet high could occur within 30 nautical miles of the coast, but with relatively long periods of 16 to 20 seconds. Wind gusts of 20 to 25 knots are expected in outer coastal waters on Tuesday evening.

The high surf and small craft advisories will remain in effect until at least 4 a.m. Christmas morning. Large, breaking waves of 6 to 10 feet are expected along the county’s coastline, locally up to 13 feet. Officials said there could be dangerous surf conditions, local beach erosion and flooding, and warned inexperienced swimmers to exercise caution in the water.

City News Service contributed to this report.