Weekend Clouds to Hover Above Pumped-Up Surf

Hurricane Blanca may kick up surf on San Diego shores this weekend, but typical June gloom will cloud skies along the coast through Sunday.

According to the National Weather Service, the hurricane that was moving west about 1,000 miles south of San Diego on Thursday was not expected to venture north, but the storm’s energy should generate higher swells here--up to six feet on south-facing beaches. Tides will be average, at no more than six feet.

Forecasters said the hurricane, the second of the season, is a harbinger of summer, which begins next Friday--the longest day of the year.

Weekend weather along the strip from the sea to five miles inland will support June’s reputation as the cloudiest month of the year. According to forecaster Wilbur Shigehara, coastal area skies may not shed their clouds until late afternoon.

Inland valleys, foothills and deserts, however, should be sunny by midday. Shigehara said cumulus clouds spun off by a thunderstorm in Arizona may dot mountain skies.

High temperatures at the beach are not expected to top 69, Shigehara said, and coastal strip highs of 69 to 74 will drop slightly to 60 to 65 at night.

Inland valley highs from 75 to 85 degrees will fall to the 50s at night. Highs in the foothills may reach 95.

San Diego County mountains will be sunny after early-morning clouds, with highs of 80 to 88. Lows at night are expected to dip to 47 to 55.

Desert highs from 108 to 114 are expected through the weekend, with lows between 69 and 78 degrees.