Summer-Like Weather to Drop Into 70s

All good things must come to an end, and the summer-like temperatures that have caressed Southern California for the last several days are no exception.

But the letdown will be gradual as high temperatures over the weekend move back into the 70s, the National Weather Service said Thursday.

In Orange County, forecasters said that night and morning low clouds and fog would persist until Sunday, with hazy sunshine in the afternoons. Low clouds were expected to continue through Tuesday, with daytime temperatures moderate--between 66 and 76--and crisp nights, mostly in the 40s.

A large high-pressure system that has been responsible for the recent balmy days in the 80s has finally begun drifting east, allowing a weak onshore flow of marine air in the form of extensive fog and cooler temperatures, forecasters said.

Nonetheless, 1985’s final weekend should provide generally fair skies over the Southland, with daytime highs ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-70s.

Dense fog made an appearance Thursday morning, forcing authorities at Los Angeles International and John Wayne airports to divert incoming flights and delay takeoffs. Similar conditions were expected Thursday night and this morning.

Highs at the Los Angeles Civic Center will slide to the low 70s over the weekend, with lows around 50. The San Fernando, San Gabriel and San Bernardino valleys will be fair with high temperatures a few degrees warmer than Los Angeles and lows from 38 to 46.

Coastal waters from Point Conception to the Mexican border will have light variable morning winds, increasing to 8 to 15 knots by evening, and west and southwest swells from 2 to 4 feet.

Skies in mountain areas will be mostly fair, with temperatures peaking between 46 and 56, and lows dropping below 40. The high desert will also enjoy fair skies over the weekend with highs from the mid-50s to the mid-60s and low temperatures in the 20s. The southern deserts will have highs about 10 degrees warmer, with lows in the mid-40s.