Chance of Rain in Wake of Santa Ana

As if it wasn’t enough that the Santa Ana condition disappeared from San Diego quite suddenly Thursday, forecasters are calling for a 30% chance of rain, partly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures for the weekend.

A weak storm originating in the Gulf of Alaska is slowly working its way into the area, but there is a chance it will stall before reaching here, said Wilbur Shigehara, a National Weather Service forecaster.

“We must have an open mind, but all of the indications are that we will be on the leading edge of the storm by Saturday or Sunday,” Shigehara said. “I’m not 100% convinced it will come in, but we are calling for a 30% chance of rain, but I would like to just put in a clause that it could still stall on us.”

The high temperature at Lindbergh Field plummeted 13 degrees in one day, from a high of 81 degrees Wednesday to 68 degrees Thursday. Shigehara said that while November is the sunniest month of the year in San Diego, it also portends the beginning of the rainy season.

“So while it is normal that November has thus far been sunny and pleasant, it is also normal that we get some rain this month, an average of 1.10 inches, as a matter of fact,” Shigehara said. “And here it is, the middle of November, and we haven’t had anything to show for it.”

The coastal areas should be partly cloudy through mid-morning today clearing to afternoon sunshine, and cloudy with only partial afternoon clearing Saturday and Sunday. High temperatures will be between 65 and 69 today and in the 63- to 67-degree range by the weekend. Overnight lows will be between 52 and 56.

“The expected storm should have little effect on the surf,” Shigehara said. “There might be some wind waves, but nothing too severe. The surf should remain about two to four feet, and the ocean temperature a cool 62 degrees.”

The inland sections will also have only partial afternoon clearing, with highs ranging from 72 to 77 today and 69 to 74 Saturday and Sunday. Overnight lows will be between 42 and 52.

Mountain area highs will again be quite cool, between 52 and 58 degrees today and an even cooler 48 to 53 over the weekend. Nighttime lows are expected to dip to a degree or two above freezing.

“The snow level is about 8,000 feet in the local mountains, and if we do get these showers, there is a slight chance of snow at the highest elevations locally,” Shigehara said. “Again, it all hinges on if and when this storm rolls in.”

Desert highs will be in the 78- to 85-degree range today, and between 75 and 78 Saturday and Sunday. Nighttime lows will be in the upper 40s.