County Expected to Warm Up for Weekend

This week’s pleasant summer weather that saw temperatures in the 70s is expected to change over the weekend as a high-pressure system brings a warming trend to San Diego County.

Temperatures were near normal at Lindbergh Field for nearly two weeks, closing out July under the influence of a low-pressure system that was centered in Oregon and extended to Southern California, said Wilbur Shigehara, a National Weather Service forecaster.

Last month was the third-warmest July on record at Lindbergh Field, trailing 1981 and 1984. The average daily temperature last month was 75.3 degrees--five degrees above the norm. High temperatures on July 1, 3 and 9 broke all-time records. And no rain was recorded at Lindbergh Field.

Today, a high-pressure system developing over the Southwest is expected to bring gradually warming temperatures through the weekend. The winds circulating with the system may draw in subtropical moisture and cloudy skies in mountain and desert areas by Sunday, but otherwise sunny skies are expected throughout the county.

Temperatures are expected to be three to seven degrees above normal in all areas.

At the beaches, a light west to southwest breeze of 10 to 15 m.p.h. is expected, and the surf will run three to four feet. Daytime highs are expected to be in the upper 70s. Shigehara said the ocean water temperature is cooler than average for August, at 70 degrees.

Coastal strip highs between 76 and 80 today should climb to 84 by Sunday, with lows in the 60s.

Inland valley highs between 84 and 91 today may reach the mid-90s by Sunday, with lows between 58 and 68.

Daytime mountain highs from 72 to 82 should rise to 82 to 88 through the weekend, with lows in the 50s. Desert highs from 104 to 108 may reach 112 by Sunday and fall to the 70s at night.