Unusually Cool Summer Sliding Into Autumn

Cool and crisp conditions, unusual for San Diego in September, will prevail through the weekend, the National Weather Service said.

Sun seekers need not worry, however, as days will become “pretty perfect” after the night-and-morning low clouds burn off, said forecaster Wilbur Shigehara. Temperatures and humidity levels slightly below the seasonal norm are turning peoples’ thoughts to autumn, he said.

“This is the second to the last week of summer, and I’m talking to people who are already planning their fall crops,” Shigehara said. “We have all these low pressures hanging around, making the weather what you might call perfect, but it’s still unusual for summer.”

Cool Summers Continue

“Actually, this is the fourth year in a row we’ve had rather cool summers,” Shigehara said. “This year, we were more than a whole degree below the norm for all of August . . . We just had a couple of warm spurts here and there.”

The recent low-pressure system originated in Canada and stalled over Southern California Wednesday, bringing down the 80-degree-plus weather of the Labor Day weekend sharply, Shigehara said. Also, as a result of this weather pattern, only minor temperature fluctuations are expected through the middle of next week, he said.

Beach highs through the weekend will be 67 to 71, Shigehara said. The water temperature at Mission Beach is 61, and the surf is 2 feet.

Low Clouds Expected

This broad low pressure trough is also responsible for the increase in night-and-morning low clouds along the coast, but afternoons should be pleasant and sunny, Shigehara said. Coastal highs are expected to range from 73 to 78 through Sunday, and overnight lows in the mid-60s.

Inland highs will hover in the low-80s. Lows will be from 55 to 62 tonight and Saturday, Shigehara said.

There will be some gusty afternoon and evening winds in the mountains, whipping up to 25 m.p.h. in places, but plenty of sunshine and clear nights are forecast through Sunday. Highs will range from 76 to 82 degrees and overnight lows will dip into the 40s.

Desert highs will be between 100 and 105. Lows will be in the mid-70s.