Fronts Should Also Bring Winds : More Rainfall Due From 2 New Storms

Off-and-on showers from off-and-on storms should be the weather pattern over the next few days in San Diego, as a storm front expected to move through the area today gives way to another, stronger system on Tuesday or Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

The first front should reach San Diego by mid-morning, bringing with it gusty winds and a chance of light rain scattered through most of the day into early evening, said Ray Robben, a National Weather Service forecaster.

“The winds will be a little stronger with this storm compared to the one that hit Friday night,” Robben said. “We’re also expecting a little more rain than what we got” then, when .25 of an inch fell at Lindbergh Field.

Presidents’ Day on Monday should be mostly sunny, with some fog expected in the morning hours, especially along the coast, Robben said. Once that clears, Monday afternoon will resemble Saturday’s clear skies and pleasant temperatures.

A stronger storm front is expected to move into the area as early as Tuesday night, according to Robben. It also is expected to be accompanied by gusty winds, as well as light to moderate rainfall.

Overnight and daytime temperatures are expected to remain mild through mid-week, according to Robben.

Highs in coastal and inland areas will be 56 to 62 today and 58 to 65 Monday. Coastal lows will be in the low 50s and inland areas can expect overnight lows between 45 and 53.

The surf has increased a bit at local beaches because of the storms, with three- to five-foot waves the norm and occasional six-footers, Robben said. The ocean temperature is near 60.

“These (storms) are not cold bursts of air, so we’re not expecting too much of a change in temperatures,” he said. “This first one at least is too warm a system for us to get any freezing temperatures, even in the mountains. We won’t be getting any snow locally.”

Local mountains differ vastly from those in Northern California, where a winter storm warning and a travelers’ advisory were issued for Saturday night through this morning, Robben said. The Sierra Nevadas received two feet of snow during Friday’s storm, and another two to three feet was expected today at elevations over 7,000 feet.

People traveling into the mountains for the holiday should check the latest road and weather reports before departing, carry tire chains and be prepared for snow, Robben said.