Heat’s On: County Gets Taste of Summer in Fall

Summer-like weather has finally decided to pay a visit as San Diego wraps up the first week of fall.

Weather forecasters promise a sunny, humid weekend with temperatures above normal for a change, with early-morning low clouds and some fog.

The continuing muggy weather is caused by the high-pressure system currently over the West. According to National Weather Service forecaster Wilbur Shigehara, the system is usually present in September. “The October weather pattern gives us an idea of what September weather should have been,” he said.

Thursday’s high at Lindbergh field hit 80 degrees, with humidity at 60%. The normal high for this time of year is about 76 degrees.

“We may see a few isolated afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains east of San Diego over the weekend, due to moisture brought up from Mexico,” said Mike Smith, a meteorologist at WeatherData, which provides forecasts for The Times. “Mostly we’re seeing a stagnant weather pattern, expected to get us through the weekend, with not much change.”

San Diego County will have the usual morning clouds through the weekend, with some dense fog close to the coastline, possibly affecting airline travel. “Delays will be minor, with fog cutting visibility to about a mile. Though we expect most of the fog to burn off by sunrise,” Shigehara said.

Possibility of Rain

There is a slight possibility of rain sometime during the weekend, due to dissipating Hurricane Pilar, just south of the tip of Baja California.

“If moisture comes our way, we could get some rain, though we’re not certain where the moisture will end up,” Shigehara said. By Sunday, temperatures are expected to cool slightly as high-level winds become more westerly, according to Shigehara. “Temperatures should return to normal by Sunday, because the high-pressure system will be on its way out,” Shigehara said.

Coastal areas will see warm, humid days through the weekend, with highs in the low 80s and lows dropping down to 62 to 67 degrees.

Surf will be up to three to five feet, returning to normal by Sunday. Water temperatures will remain at 69 degrees.

Inland valley highs should nudge into the 90s, and may hit 100 degrees during the weekend. In sharp contrast, lows will range from 51 to 65 degrees.

Mountains and deserts will see partly sunny afternoons with the possibility of some rain. Mountain highs will be in the 77- to 85-degree range, with lows of 50 to 58 degrees. Desert highs will range from 100 to 108 degrees through Saturday. Lows should be between 70 and 78.