Temperatures Hit 30 in San Juan, 39 in Newport : Pretty Nippy, but It’s Been Nippier

Yes, it’s been cold in Orange County--30 degrees in San Juan Capistrano early Thursday and 39 in Newport Beach.

But it could be worse. It has been worse.

On Jan. 31, 1979, it hailed in scattered parts of the county. On Feb. 3, 1908, it snowed in Balboa.

At least the weekend forecast is for clear weather, although the chilling temperatures are expected to persist.

For Orange County, the National Weather Service is forecasting high temperatures in the high 50s and low 60s and low temperatures in the low 40s for today and Saturday, with clear or slightly cloudy skies.

Rain may return late Sunday, however, possibly persisting through Tuesday, forecasters said.

Crisp, dry air coming from western Canada is responsible for the clear, cold weather, and it will hit other parts of California harder than Orange County, the weather service said.

Forecasters warned of sub-freezing overnight temperatures in the mountains, foothills and high desert and suggested extra care in protecting pets and sensitive plants.

Northerly winds gusting to 30 m.p.h. were forecast for Southern California’s mountains, with resort-level highs ranging from the high 20s to the high 30s, descending to 18 degrees at some higher altitudes overnight. The Weather Service said there was also some possibility of snow at the 3,000-foot level by Sunday.

Snow flurries also were expected at resort levels in the Sierra, with southwest winds increasing to 30 m.p.h. Sunday and temperatures dropping to the teens and below in a few places overnight.

Desert areas, too, could have a few showers by Sunday, the forecasters said, but skies were expected to stay relatively clear until then with northern desert temperatures ranging from the mid-50s during the afternoon to the low 20s overnight, and southern deserts from the low 60s to the low 30s.

Surf along Southern California coasts should run at 2 to 3 feet, forecasters said.

Some wind was also forecast along the coast. Local northwesterly winds 15 to 25 m.p.h. were expected in coastal and inland valleys, and anyone venturing offshore was warned of north to northwest afternoon winds increasing to 30 knots this afternoon in outer waters from Point Conception to San Clemente Island.

Inner waters should be calmer, forecasters said. Afternoon west to northwest winds should reach 18 knots this afternoon and evening from Point Conception to the Mexican border, though stronger winds--north to northwest rising to 25 knots with westerly swell to 2 feet--were predicted between Santa Barbara and Santa Monica.