S.D., L.A. Records Set as Heat Wave Hits Peak

Hot, summery weather reached a record-breaking high in San Diego on Sunday, topping three days of unseasonably warm weather, but the National Weather Service said the midwinter heat wave is about over.

Sunday’s high of 82 at Lindbergh Field eclipsed the previous record of 80 set in 1928. Elsewhere in the county, temperatures climbed even higher, with an all-county high of 88 at Spring Valley; 87 degrees at San Diego State University; 86 degrees at Fallbrook and Chula Vista; 85 at Lemon Grove and 83 degrees at Escondido.

Los Angeles was the hottest spot in the 48 contiguous states Sunday, with a Civic Center reading of 87 degrees. That broke the old record of 84 (also set in 1928).

Relative humidity in downtown San Diego was a low 17% from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as a high-pressure system blocked moist marine air from moving inland.

In Los Angeles the humidity ranged from 33% overnight to just 13% by mid-afternoon as dry Santa Ana winds continued to blow in from the desert. Meteorologists said the air will be both damper and cooler today.

A few high clouds dappled Sunday’s Southern California skies with little effect except to lend perspective, but the National Weather Service said the clouds will lower and thicken overnight--and the winds will stop blowing from the east.

A Pacific storm is expected to bring rain to Central and Northern California today, and, while the Southland should see only the trailing edge of a cold front, there will be less sunshine, more moisture in the air and lower temperatures today.

“Onshore breezes and the dew point should come up Monday and we will see the beginning of coastal low clouds,” forecaster Frank Perdue said. A 20% chance of light showers was forecast for Tuesday.

Temperatures by Tuesday are expected to fall to the 60s at the beach; to the low 70s along the coast, and in mid-70s inland.

Meanwhile, thousands of Southern Californians enjoyed the last day of a hot and sunny weekend.

San Diego City lifeguards reported about 32,000 people at city beaches where most were “catching rays, walking and playing.” Few braved the ocean water, which was a cool 56 degrees.

Along county beaches from Del Mar to Cardiff, lifeguards estimated the “excessively large crowds” at about 5,000. During a heat wave last January, the biggest crowd reported along county shores was about 3,000 on Jan. 19.

“It’s like Easter week or spring vacation,” county lifeguard Mike Brown observed Sunday.

In Los Angeles lifeguards reported about 300,000 people at beaches from Zuma to Newport--though only the few with wet suits seemed willing to do more than wade in the 58-degree water.

Mountain and desert resorts reported near-capacity bookings, but the California Highway Patrol said freeway traffic seemed lighter and slower than usual for this time of year.