Spring Brings Sunny Skies : Warm Weekend Breezing In

Fair skies, light sea breezes and extra minutes of sunshine are expected as the first weekend of spring begins Saturday, with above average temperatures.

A dry cold front that pushed clouds into San Diego skies Thursday was quickly followed by a milder cold front, National Weather Service forecasters said. Morning clouds are expected to continue today.

But a building high-pressure system is expected to extend over Southern California by this afternoon, fostering spring-like weather throughout San Diego County this weekend.

Spring began with the vernal equinox Wednesday when the hours of daylight and darkness are identical. Daylight hours began lengthening by minutes on Thursday.

The sun will rise at 5:49 a.m. Saturday and will set at 6:02 p.m. There will be two additional minutes of daylight Sunday when the sun rises at 5:48 a.m. and sets at 6:03 p.m.

Forecasters predicted warmer days by Saturday, with inland highs nudging the 80s by Sunday.

High temperatures in the 60s along the shore were forecast, with 8- to 15-m.p.h. winds. The ocean water temperature is expected to remain at 57 degrees.

Coastal strip highs of up to 67 today are expected to reach 70 by Saturday, with nighttime lows in the 48- to 54-degree range.

Inland valley highs up to 70 today should rise to the high 70s by Saturday; lows at night are expected in the 42- to 50-degree range.

Mountain temperatures of 47 to 55 degrees today will warm to the upper 50s Saturday; lows will dip to 25 to 35 at night.

Desert highs in the 82- to 86-degree range will warm to the high 80s Saturday, with nighttime lows of 45 to 55 degrees.