Clearer Skies Forecast for Later Today

Just when it appeared that Orange County residents might have to stock up on suntan lotion for a long winter at the beach, the skies darkened Saturday and dampened the region with scattered showers.

More of the same was expected this morning, followed by clearing skies and brisk temperatures.

Traces of rain were reported at most weather-monitoring stations throughout the county, and residents in cities from Newport Beach to Dana Point and Santa Ana said rain fell on and off during the afternoon.

Meager though it may have been, the rain came as a welcome relief to many Orange County residents eager to see even the smallest hint of a change in the seasons. The showers arrived just days after a lengthy bout of summer-like weather, when Santa Ana winds from the desert sent temperatures across the Southland soaring into the 80s.

Scattered showers are expected to continue through the morning and then give way to patchy clouds and cooler temperatures tonight, said Bill Hibbert, a meteorologist with WeatherData, which provides forecasts for The Times Orange County Edition.

Hibbert said a 50% chance of showers is forecast, with at most a quarter-inch of rain expected this morning in Orange County. But winds during the afternoon should “clear everything right down the coast just like a squeegee,” he said.

As winds drive the clouds out, lower temperatures should creep into the county tonight, with the mercury expected to drop into the upper 40s across the county, he said.

“It’ll begin to be more like a November instead of what it’s been the past couple weeks,” Hibbert said.

Temperatures on Monday are expected to rise into the upper 60s to lower 70s.

The sweater weather conditions may not last long. Hibbert said Santa Ana winds might start up again later in the week.