Rain Might Dampen San Diego’s Weekend

A storm from the Gulf of Alaska threatens to bring rain this weekend, but planners who scheduled the St. Patrick’s Day parade for Saturday might thank their Irish luck--according to the National Weather Service, the showers aren’t likely until Sunday.

Subtropical clouds from Hawaii are expected to arrive in San Diego County on Saturday, shutting out much of the sunshine. But according to forecasters, the moisture-laden clouds should bring only humidity in the 60% to 70% range--not rain.

Clouds from the approaching northern storm are expected to roll in Saturday night, bringing a chance of wind and rain by Sunday. Forecasters said they could not predict the strength of the storm until Saturday.

Mist and morning clouds today are expected to clear to partly cloudy skies by this afternoon, with daytime temperatures continuing in the 60s along the coastal strip and inland valleys.

Visiting storms have yielded little more than sprinkles in recent weeks, and forecasters said Thursday that the coming storm may follow suit.

March is normally the second wettest month of the year, yet precipitation so far this month has lagged behind the average. Only 0.26 of an inch of rain has fallen in a month that usually gets 1.60.

Seasonal totals, however, are favorable. Since July 1, 9.01 inches of rain have fallen at Lindbergh Field--just 0.31 of an inch short of the average amount for an entire season.

Slightly warmer nights are expected through the weekend as clouds cap the skies after dark. Lows along the coast are expected to be in the mid-40s to mid-50s, and inland lows should be 40 to 50.

Mountain temperatures of 48 to 58 during the day will cool to the 25- to 35-degree range at night. Desert highs are expected to be in the 70s, with lows of 42 to 50.