Sun to Break Through Clouds for Weekend

May began under cloudy skies Thursday, but forecasters predicted a sunny weekend and early evaporation of morning clouds through the weekend.

A weak cold front will deepen coastal fog tonight, but the cover should clear by Saturday morning for a sunny day with seasonal temperatures, National Weather Service forecaster Wilbur Shigehara said. A mild high-pressure system is expected to arrive Sunday, pushing temperatures into the high 70s and 80s.

“Our weather patterns have been alternating,” Shigehara said. “Weak fronts have been coming through that bring slight warming, then slight cooling.”

He said the back-and-forth pattern will continue through the weekend and the changing pressures could kick up some gusty winds in the mountains and deserts.

“It might be breezier than normal, but it looks like a nice weekend for all outdoor activity,” Shigehara said.

Forecasters predicted a near-normal May pattern of night and morning low clouds clearing to blue afternoon skies through the weekend, with a chance of above average warming Sunday.

Shigehara said the alternating fronts will disrupt the night and morning clouds and the cover will not be as thick as usual. May is on record as the second cloudiest month of the year, behind June.

Santa Ana conditions brought hot weather and temperatures in the 80s and 90s on the last two Sundays, but Shigehara said Thursday that this Sunday probably won’t get that warm.

Highs of 67 to 72 are expected along the coast today and Saturday, with lows in the 50s. Sea breezes from the west to southwest are expected to be 12 to 20 m.p.h. in the afternoons.

Inland highs should be in the 70s with lows around 50 today and Saturday.

By Sunday, highs may reach unseasonal levels, with beach and coastal strip temperatures in the 70s and inland highs in the 80s.

In the mountains, where winds may gust to 25 m.p.h., daytime highs are expected to be in the 60s, with lows in the 30s and 40s. Desert highs are expected to be in the 80s and low 90s, with lows in the 50s.