Prospects Bright for a Sunny and Warm Weekend

A high pressure system heading into San Diego County today is expected to build through the weekend--blocking clouds and clearing skies for more sunshine and above average temperatures by Sunday.

May is typically a cloudy month, with a 58% average sunshine probability at Lindbergh Field. According to Wilbur Shigehara, a National Weather Service forecaster, a “sunshine recorder” atop the weather service building at the airport counts the time the sun shines.

The recorder showed 100% of possible sunshine on Tuesday, and registered a more average 455 minutes of sunshine, or 55% on Wednesday. Shigehara predicted higher than average percentages this weekend when morning clouds are forecast to evaporate early.

A high pressure system centered off the Northern California coast should spread to the Southland today, bringing the sunny

days and gradual warming through the weekend, Shigehara said.

At the beach there will be light south to southwesterly breezes in the eight to 15 mph range with water temperatures continuing at about 61 degrees. Daytime highs at the shore are expected in the 60s today and into the 70s Saturday and Sunday.

Coastal strip highs up to 73 today may top 77 by Sunday, and high temperatures inland in the 70s today are expected to reach the 80s by Sunday. Lows in both areas are expected in the 50s.

Mountain highs in the 57-to-65 degree range today should reach the 70s over the weekend with lows in the 40-to-50 degree range.

Desert temperatures in the 88-to-94 degree range today could reach 100 by Sunday with lows in the 58-to-68 degree range.