Rain Is Up in the Air for the Weekend

A Canadian weather front is expected to bring March in like a lion, but the month should arrive with more of a growl than a roar.

Forecasters watched the approach of a cold front from British Columbia on Thursday and wondered if the high pressure ridge along the San Diego coast would stay to protect the county from rain this weekend.

If the high pressure ridge retreats to the east, the approaching front will move through with showers. If it stays, the northern system will bring only clouds and high winds, said forecaster Wilbur Shigehara.

“We are on the verge of getting showers Saturday, but we are just on the borderline. We are not forecasting rain yet, but it’s a possibility,” he said Thursday.

Although local forecasters couldn’t predict whether it would rain, they were sure of one thing--a cooling trend that began Thursday will continue through Sunday.

The moderate nighttime lows enjoyed this week while fog blanketed the county may drop as much as 10 to 20 degrees as cold air seeps into the Southland. Growers were warned about possible frost Saturday night.

Daytime highs from 57 to 63 along the coast today and from 55 to 60 Saturday are expected to cool further on Sunday. Nighttime lows from 47 to 54 tonight will drop to the 40s and 30s Saturday night.

Inland valley highs, up to 63 today and 60 Saturday, may not rise above the 50s on Sunday. Lows from 40 to 48 tonight are expected to cool to the 30s over the weekend.

If the high-pressure system remains along the coast, the Canadian front will bring cool temperatures, partly cloudy skies and high winds to the mountains and deserts.

Winds may blow up to 35 m.p.h, and today’s mountain highs in the 50s may drop to the 30s by Sunday. Lows are expected in the 20s and 30s.

Desert temperatures during the day will be warm--up to 83 today and up to 74 Saturday--but nighttime lows are expected to drop to the 30s and 40s Saturday and Sunday.