Humidity Mugs the Southland, but There’s Some Justice Expected

Marine moisture turned a hot day into a muggy one Thursday for most of Southern California, but the National Weather Service predicted a cooler--and drier--weekend.

High temperature at Los Angeles Civic Center reached 95 degrees, which probably would not have seemed too warm if it had not been for the dampness of the air. Relative humidity hit 75% at about 4 a.m., and only declined to 35% by mid-afternoon.

Forecasters said a gradual change should begin today, however, with a high of only 83 expected, and relative humidity should drop to the 20s during the afternoon.

A low-pressure area at high altitude off the coast to the northwest was seen to be moving slowly in our direction. Meteorologists said this should produce a southwesterly flow of dry air from the deserts (dropping the humidity to more bearable levels), while cooler air drifts in from the north.

Should Affect Deserts

This cooling trend, the Weather Service said, should hit the desert areas of California about Saturday, with gusty afternoon winds to 30 m.p.h. in some parts of the high desert, where temperatures were expected to reach 105 at times. Low desert temperatures were expected to be seven or eight degrees warmer.

Cooler weekend temperatures also were forecast for the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains, with afternoon highs in the low 80s dropping to the high 40s and low 50s overnight at resort levels. Highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s were predicted for the Sierra.

Beach weather is expected to feature the usual morning clouds and low fog, but the Weather Service said hazy sunshine should begin before noon, with surf running two to three feet in most places. Sea breezes were expected to hit 15 m.p.h. at times during the afternoon, with air temperature reaching the low 70s in the afternoons and water temperature holding steady in the low- to mid-60s.

Yachtsmen were warned to leave harbor only after the morning low clouds and fog lift and to expect 12- to 18-knot winds from the west and southwest close to shore during the afternoons from Point Conception to the Mexican border. Those who venture farther to sea heard a forecast of 10-knot morning winds from the northwest, freshening to 20 knots by mid-afternoon.

The usual cloudy mornings were forecast for San Francisco, with some hazy sunshine predicted for the afternoons and temperatures in the low 60s.

Ensenada was expecting hazy sun with afternoon temperatures in the low- to mid-70s.