A Warming Trend to Take the Edge Off the Big Chill

A cold front from the Gulf of Alaska brought traces of rain and below-normal temperatures to the county, but a slight warming trend is expected to begin today and last through New Year’s, the National Weather Service said.

The high at Lindbergh Field Saturday was 57 degrees. The normal high for this time of year is 65.

Nights, however, which are already chilly because of an Arctic air mass that has been hanging around for a couple of weeks, will grow colder, said Weather Service meteorologist Dan Atkin. A frost advisory has been issued for tonight for the inland and agricultural areas, where nighttime temperatures are expected to dip into the low 20s, he said.

Astronomical high tides also began rising Saturday morning to 7.6 feet, Atkin said. The high tides will peak Monday at 7.8 feet at 8:41 a.m. and begin to drop Wednesday, he said. Because the surf is low--between 2 and 4 feet--the high tides should not pose any problems for the beach areas, he said.

Beaches will be clear today with highs between 57 and 62 degrees through Monday. Ocean water temperature is 56 degrees.

Skies along the coast will also be clear and dry today through New Year’s with daytime highs ranging in the low to mid 60s, Atkin said. Overnight lows will be between 39 and 44 degrees tonight and New Year’s Eve, he said.

Inland highs today and Monday will range from 62 to 69 degrees, and overnight lows will be between 28 and 36. New Year’s Day calls for sunny skies with a high near 70 degrees, Atkin said.

Highs in the mountains will be between 34 and 42 degrees today, from 40 to 48 Monday, and in the low 50s on New Year’s Day, Atkin said. Overnight lows will range from 18 to 26 degrees tonight and Monday night, he said.

Gusty winds of up to 25 m.p.h. are expected to last through Monday.