Desert-Dry Days, Cool Nights to Continue

The desert-like aridity and near-record high temperatures that sent thousands to San Diego-area beaches on Saturday are expected to continue today, although forecasters say the mercury should drop slightly.

Regionwide, the skies are expected to be fair with occasional high clouds through Monday, as the so-called Santa Ana condition gradually dissipates.

The parched climate of recent days is expected to end by early next week, when traditional morning and evening fog will likely return.

The weekend’s arid conditions underline what has been a season-long lack of rainfall and humidity in the San Diego area. That’s bad news in a semi-desert region that normally only receives 9.32 inches of rain between July 1 and June 30, the 12-month period gauged by meteorologists.

Since last July 1, a paltry .03 of rain has fallen in the San Diego area--almost 1 inch below the normal cumulative total for that period.

The high temperature recorded at Lindbergh Field Saturday was a balmy 87 degrees, considerably warmer than the normal high for the date of 71 degrees. The record is the 91-degree mark recorded in 1956.

High temperatures exceeding 90 degrees were plentiful on Saturday. The mercury rose to 94 at the Wild Animal Park in Northern San Diego County, while readings of 93 were recorded in Fallbrook and Lemon Grove, and temperatures of 90 or more were also measured in Borrego, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Miramar, Poway and Santee.

Area lows were more seasonal, ranging from the low 50s in coastal areas to the low 40s farther inland.

Coastal highs are expected to be about 85 degrees today and closer to 80 on Monday. Inland highs will likely remain in the 90s today but should be near 90 degrees on Monday.