Unusually Mild Summer Weather Lingers

The weather pattern that has brought sunshine and comfortable below-normal temperatures to San Diego will continue throughout the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecaster Wilbur Shigehara said a high-pressure system, which usually develops this time of year, has been absent because of fairly strong upper-level winds. These winds are now blowing in from the west and southwest, but would have to shift to bring in humidity from the southeast to yield warmer temperatures.

“We’ve really struggled to get up to the 78-, 79-degree temperatures which are normal for this time of year,” Shigehara said. “Normal high temperature at Lindbergh Field for (Thursday) is 78 degrees, but the high only reached 74. This is a nice surprise as we approach the hottest time of the year.”

A flow of cool air from the ocean will cause the usual night and morning coastal low clouds to continue. But they will make way for sunshine by late morning along the coast, and mid-morning in the inland valleys.

“The weather along the coast is a little reminiscent of June,” Shigehara said. “The marine layer is usually not this persistent, but again it gives us a nice respite from the quite warm temperatures which come along in mid-August.”

High temperatures at the beaches will be between 70 and 75 degrees, with lows in the 60s. The ocean temperature will be near 68, and the surf only one to two feet.

“In the last two weeks the ocean has really warmed up,” Shigehara said. “It was much cooler than usual in the month of July, but right now it is hovering right around its normal temperature for August.”

Inland highs will be between 83 and 91, and lows will dip to 58 to 63.

The mountains and deserts will be sunny and warm, with very little if any chance of thunderstorms. Mountain high temperatures will be in the 80s, with lows in the upper 50s. Desert highs will reach 107 to 115 degrees, with lows in the upper 70s.

“Everything’s just drying out,” Shigehara said. “The thunderstorms are well to the east of us, and the dry winds are keeping them away from San Diego. Maybe by Tuesday or Wednesday the winds will shift, but for now we can expect the delightful August weather to continue.”