Rain Dries Up; Sunny Weekend Afternoons Expected

After shivering through a wet week, San Diegans can expect a slow warming trend to begin today and no measurable rainfall this weekend.

San Diego was on the southern fringe of a storm that came out of the Pacific Northwest and intensified over Nevada, said Richard Stitt, forecaster for the National Weather Service in San Diego.

The storm fell short of bringing San Diego up to the amount of rain normally received for March, but it did put a damper on temperatures.

A total of .13 inches of rain fell at Lindbergh Field over a 24-hour period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. Alpine received .60 inches, while Brown Field and Fallbrook received .02 inches. Chula Vista received .04 inches; Del Mar .25 inches; El Cajon .08 inches; Escondido .15 inches; La Mesa .05 inches; Poway .30 inches and Vista .13 inches.

The storm kept temperatures at Lindbergh Field from rising above 58 degrees Wednesday and 63 degrees Thursday, several degrees below the 66 normally posted for this time.

Borrego and Thermal reported temperatures of 82 degrees, the highest in the county Thursday, while Cuyamaca Park recorded a 46, the lowest in the county at 4 p.m. Thursday. The record high for this date was 99, posted in 1879; the record low was 43, recorded in 1884, according to the weather service.

As the last storm forecast for March began moving eastward, San Diego had recorded a quarter of an inch of rain for the month, well below the 1.60 inches that are normal for March.

Although forecasters are still hoping April showers will bring May flowers, San Diego is 2.46 inches short of the seasonal norm of 8.16 inches, according to forecasters. The season runs from June to July of the following year.

Less than a 20% chance of rain is predicted for this morning. After night and morning clouds, San Diegans can expect mostly sunny afternoons today through Sunday.

A high of 66 degrees is forecast for Lindbergh Field today, warming to 68 on Saturday. The low tonight will be 55.

Weekend beach temperatures will be 62 to 67, with the ocean temperature near 59 degrees.

Coastal and inland highs will be 67 to 72, with lows of 52 to 56 along the coast and 45 to 53 inland.

Gusty northwest winds 15 to 30 m.p.h. are forecast for mountains and deserts today. Mountain highs will be 47 to 57, with lows of 27 to 37. Desert highs will be 75 to 83 degrees, with lows of 47 to 57.