Santa Ana Sunshine to Soon Banish Chilly Halloween Weather

Halloween celebrators might be tricked tonight with partly cloudy skies and cool temperatures, but they will be treated to warm and sunny days the rest of the weekend as a Santa Ana condition settles into the San Diego area.

Before the Santa Ana arrives, however, a weak weather front will move through the area today, bringing partly cloudy skies, cool temperatures and gusty winds, National Weather Service forecaster Wilbur Shigehara said.

“Tonight will be cool and partly cloudy for Halloween trick-or-treaters,” Shigehara said, “but a warming trend will develop by Saturday as the high pressure builds and skies will be quite clear as well. However, as the days get warmer, the nights will be getting colder.”

The high-pressure system will also lower the humidity, Shigehara said. Daytime humidity has been between 65% and 75% in most areas for the last week, but is expected to drop to between 55% and 65% by Saturday and between 48% and 58% by Sunday.

“If the Santa Ana comes in stronger than expected, as well it might, the high temperature at Lindbergh Field could hit 80 by Sunday and inland temperatures could hit 90,” Shigehara said. “Normal high temperature (at Lindbergh Field) for the first days of November is 73, so we will be quite warmer than average.”

High temperatures at the beaches will range between 64 and 69 today, and increase to between 69 and 74 by Sunday. Overnight lows will be in the upper 50s. The ocean temperature will be around 64, with surf in the two- to three-foot range.

“I think by Sunday it should be nice and warm at the beaches, something not expected for the beginning of November,” Shigehara said.

Inland highs will range from 72 to 78 degrees today, from 75 to 83 Saturday, and from 78 to 87 Sunday. Lows will range from 46 to 56 tonight and 43 to 53 Saturday night.

Mountain areas will have strong, gusty winds during the days and below-freezing temperatures Saturday night, Shigehara said. Highs in the mountains will be between 54 and 62 today, increasing to the 57- to 67-degree range Sunday. Overnight lows will range between 36 and 46 tonight, and between 28 and 38 Saturday night.

San Diego County deserts will also have strong, gusty winds through the weekend. Highs will be in the 80s today and in the low 90s Saturday and Sunday. Overnight lows will be in the upper 50s all three days.