To Those Freezing Back East : It’s Time to Gloat About S.D. Weather, Forecaster Says

It is the type of weather that entices people to San Diego, and it will remain warm, sunny and “gorgeous” for the next several days, forecasters say.

As most of the country is being subjected to snow and near-record cold temperatures, San Diegans can bask under mostly clear skies and warm temperatures through at least Saturday, National Weather Service forecaster Dan Atkin said.

“Call all your relatives back East and gloat,” he said. “We’re expecting more of the same all week long.

“We can be thankful for an upper-level high-pressure system that is keeping storms out of the area,” Atkin said. “This system is creating an offshore flow that is keeping things dry.”

The offshore flow is expected to weaken a bit today before rebounding again Wednesday and Thursday, according to Atkin.

The weakening flow will result in a few coastal low clouds creeping into the area this morning, but clear skies will prevail by the late morning hours, he said.

As the high pressure rebuilds Wednesday and Thursday, the morning clouds will disappear and the temperatures will nudge up just a couple of degrees, Atkin added.

“It will be gorgeous and uneventful and all the things that make Southern California’s weather so special,” said forecaster Mike Smith of WeatherData, which provides forecast information for The Times.

“We’re looking at highs in the 70s for all coastal and inland areas all week long,” he said.

Coastal areas will have highs right around 70 degrees today after the clouds clear out, bouncing up a couple of degrees Wednesday and Thursday. Overnight lows will be in the low 40s.

Ocean Chilly

The ocean temperature is a chilly 56 degrees, a major deterrent to those who venture to the beach, said San Diego city lifeguard Allison Sherwood.

“There aren’t a lot of people in the water since it’s still so cold,” Sherwood said. “We were a bit crowded (over the weekend) for the beginning of February, but there were very few people in the water.”

Highs in the inland areas will be between 71 and 77 today, nudging up to the 73- to 79-degree range by Wednesday. Lows will be in the upper 30s.

Mountain highs will be in the low 60s, with overnight lows near 30. Highs in the deserts will be in the high 70s and low 80s, with lows in the 40s.