More Gray Weather Due, But a Bit of Blue Sky, Too

San Diegans can drag out their sweaters and expect more of the same for the weekend: dreary skies and cool weather with the possibility of afternoon sunshine, according to the National Weather Service.

“It looks like these weather conditions will bottom out on Friday, with partial afternoon sunshine,” National Weather Service forecaster Wilbur Shigehara said. But for the most part, there will be cloudy skies through Saturday with cool nights and morning drizzle and mostly sunny afternoons through the weekend.

“We can expect a pleasant weekend with temperatures on the cool side, but good for all outdoor activities,” Shigehara said.

San Diego County is in the midst of extremely cold and unusual temperatures for this time of year. “Mid and late August should be the warmest time of the year, with an average temperature of 77 degrees,” Shigehara said.

Extremely Rare

But Thursday’s high at Lindbergh Field hit only 70, which is extremely rare, Shigehara said.

Dating back to 1872, there have been only eight instances where the temperature failed to reach 70 degrees on Aug. 13, Shigehara said.

Shigehara attributes San Diego’s cloudy and cool conditions to the deepening low pressure system on the West Coast. The low pressure system has been hanging around since last September.

Coastal highs will range from 69 to 74 today and 70 to 75 Saturday.

Surf will be down to 2 to 3 feet, with ocean temperatures near 69 degrees. Temperatures will range from 67 to 71.

Inland valleys will experience highs between 74 to 78 today, nudging up a few degrees on Saturday to between 75 to 80, with comfortably cool nights.

Mountain and desert areas will experience clear skies, mostly fair through Saturday and cloudy nights, with temperatures ranging from 68 to 76 degrees. Warmer temperatures are expected Sunday.