New Rainfall a Rarity but the Sun Is Due Soon

Forecasters were scratching their heads, and tourists were wondering where the weather went Monday as rare July rain fell in San Diego County for the second time in four days.

The rain was light--mere traces were reported Monday and only 0.03 of an inch was recorded Friday--but rain at all in July is “really strange,” National Weather Service forecaster Wilbur Shigehara said.

July is normally the driest month of the year--even 0.03 of an inch of rain surpasses the norm for the entire month.

“What we have now is more like Easter weather,” Shigehara said. “I haven’t seen anything like this in July, and I have been in the business for 20 years.

“We do get freaky storms in July but it’s been a long time--75 years.”

In addition to the precipitation, temperatures, which usually rise above normal at this time of year, have been mostly below normal this month.

Forecasters said an unexplained change in upper-level wind patterns has carried June gloom long into July.

“The jet stream should be over Canada and the northern tier states right now,” Shigehara said. “It shouldn’t be plunging down into Southern California. It is rare.”

On Monday, subtropical air from now-dissipated Tropical Storm Dora moved into Southern California and collided with the low-pressure system. It produced small amounts of rain and the threat of thundershowers in the mountains and deserts Monday night.

Humidity was a high 73% Monday afternoon and the temperature at Lindbergh Field never topped 70 degrees. It reached 74 in El Cajon, 75 in Santee and Poway, 76 in Vista and 81 in Escondido.

Cloudy skies are expected to clear somewhat this afternoon, with further clearing Wednesday.

Highs are expected to reach 73 degrees along the coast today and 82 degrees inland. Highs may reach the mid-80s inland by Wednesday afternoon.

Mountain highs are expected to be in the 70s and desert highs could reach 105 by Wednesday.