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.

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 will see generally fair skies over the Southland with daytime highs ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-70s.

Dense Fog Due Again

Dense fog already made an appearance Thursday morning, forcing authorities at Los Angeles International and several other 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 ranging from 25 to 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.

Some communities around the San Francisco Bay Area will have dense fog this morning, with visibility near zero as the fog thickens. Hazy skies are expected over the weekend with highs ranging from 45 to 60, and lows dropping below 40.

Dense, widespread fog will settle over Bakersfield during early morning hours, with partial clearing during the afternoons. Highs will range from the high 30s to mid-40s with lows from the high 20s to low 30s.

The Central Valley and adjacent areas will also get dense early morning fog, and motorists planning to travel through those areas are urged to allow extra time to reach their destinations.