Winter to Make Exit on a Sunny and Warm Note

The first weekend of spring will arrive in San Diego with sunny skies and gorgeous weather, according to local forecasters.

“This will be the type of weekend that the San Diego Chamber of Commerce would like to take credit for,” said National Weather Service spokesman Wilbur Shigehara.

Sunday is the first day of spring.

March, normally the second-wettest month of the year, will ease toward its end with dry skies and a mild Santa Ana condition, Shigehara said.

The traditional morning low clouds and fog will return by Monday, however. By next week, the high pressure front that has kept San Diego high and dry for several weeks will be breaking down, but there is still no rain forecast for the immediate future.

Today’s Santa Ana is expected to bring warm weather, sunshine and low humidity to the area. The warm spell will peak Saturday, the last day of winter, with temperatures a few degrees higher in all areas.

Thursday’s Lindbergh Field high temperature was 69 degrees, about 3 degrees higher than normal for this time of year, according to Shigehara. Downtown temperatures should jump to 73 today, with the onset of the Santa Ana.

Beach areas will enjoy highs today ranging from 69 to 73 degrees, with nighttime lows of 42 to 52. Inland highs will run around 76-78 degrees, possibly up to the low 80s. Low temperatures inland will dip to a chilly 35-45 degrees.

Mountain highs will stay cool, around 55-65 degrees, with overnight lows of 25-32 degrees. The deserts will be the county’s hot spots, with weekend temperatures up to 88 today and a few degrees warmer Saturday. Lows will be in the 40-50 degree range.