Storm System Delivering CoolWeekend

A weak storm system from the Gulf of Alaska brought a scattering of sprinkles to North County on Thursday morning, leaving in its wake cooler weekend weather, gusty winds and high surf.

A warming and clearing trend will begin Sunday, but until then the weather will be partly cloudy, cool and windy, said National Weather Service forecaster Frank O’Leary.

A wind advisory was posted for the mountains and deserts Thursday, with gusts up to 45 m.p.h. expected Thursday night. Winds will decrease to 15 to 30 m.p.h. today, but travelers should beware of blowing dust and sand.

Along the coast, offshore waves driven by gusty winds were peaking Thursday at 10 feet, and near the shore at 4 to 7 feet, O’Leary said. With breezes up to 22 m.p.h., the surf will roll in today at 3 to 5 feet with occasional breakers at 7 feet.

At the beaches, temperatures will range from 61 to 66 today and 63 to 68 on Saturday. The water temperature is near 62 degrees.

Along the coast, temperatures will reach 63 to 68 today and 66 to 71 on Saturday. Nighttime lows will drop to 53 to 58.

The inland valleys will experience highs of 67 to 74 today and 69 to 76 on Saturday, with nighttime lows of 46 to 54.

Mountain temperatures will hover between 56 to 64 today and 60 to 68 on Saturday, dropping to 28 to 36 at night.

In the deserts, the mercury will rise to 80 to 88 today and 85 to 93 on Saturday, dipping down to 56 to 64 at night.