Pleasant Weather to Linger Over Holiday

San Diegans can look forward to sunny days after late-night and early-morning low clouds and locally dense fog through the Labor Day weekend. Temperatures will be on a cooling trend but it will still be sunny and warm, the National Weather Service said.

A weak upper-level, low-pressure system off the Pacific northwest coast will bring a dry westerly wind over the county through the three-day holiday weekend, said forecaster Wally Cegiel.

A heavy surf advisory will remain in effect today, Cegiel said. High surf and rip currents caused by tropical storm Javier southwest of San Diego have kept lifeguards busy along the coast. Oceanside lifeguards reported 12 rescues by late Friday afternoon and Coronado had six rescues Thursday. San Diego reported rescues were higher than normal but did not have a total. “The rip currents are pulling strong and catching people off guard,” said San Diego city lifeguard John Greenhaough. Weekend swimmers should stay stay in knee- to waist-deep water and wear swim fins, he said.

“It’s always good to have swim fins on when in the water,” Greenhaough said, “because it helps you kick better and makes you a stronger swimmer.”

He also warned that consuming too much alcohol before going swimming might have fatal results.

Del Mar lifeguard captain Grant Larson said if a swimmer gets caught in one of the “stronger-than-normal” rip currents, stay calm and try and swim away from--not against--the current and let the breaking waves push you back to shore. When in trouble, raise your arm or yell to alert lifeguards.

Always check with on-duty lifeguards about beach conditions and read posted signs before going in the water, lifeguards said.

Southerly swells, ranging from 3 to 5 feet with occasional 8-foot breakers, that have bombarded south-facing beaches from Oceanside and Coronado are expected to dissipate today, Cegiel said. Weekend highs at the beaches should range from 68 to 74 degrees, with winds at 10 to 16 m.p.h. Ocean temperature will be 69 degrees.

Along the coastal and inland valleys, it will be mostly sunny days after low clouds and dense fog. Coastal highs will range from 75 to 82 today, cooling down several degrees on Sunday. Lows will be in the mid-60s. Inland highs will range from 85 to 95 today and from 82 to 92 Sunday. Lows will be in the 58- to 64-degree range.

In the mountains and deserts, it will be fair through Sunday. Mountain highs will be from 74 to 83 degrees, with lows in the mid-50s to low 60s. Desert highs will range from 102 to 109 with lows from 76 to 83.

Temperatures are expected to drop a few degrees on Labor Day.