Temperatures to Rise as Skies Clear Briefly

Temperatures will warm up slightly today, following a damp, chilly Sunday.

A flow of subtropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean brought clouds to the San Fernando Valley this weekend, said Stuart Seto, a spokesman for the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

High temperatures on Sunday reached the 60s, and while light rain was expected overnight, it was expected to end by 6 a.m. today.

This dampness is separate from a storm moving into the Santa Barbara area from the north. That system, created by a standard low-pressure system, was not expected to reach the Los Angeles area.

Oddly enough, the damp, cool weather that reached the Valley from the southwest made it here despite a predominant high-pressure system. High pressure usually means clear skies and warm weather.

Rain usually occurs in low-pressure systems, when there is an effect of lifting air, Seto said. Under a high-pressure system, the air sinks.

However, with so much moisture in the atmosphere recently, rain can occur even with a high-pressure system present, but only in mountain and foothill regions where the higher terrain generates a lifting effect, Seto said.

With the moisture leaving the area today, skies will be clearing on Tuesday. However, late-night and early-morning fog and low clouds will return on Wednesday or Thursday.

High temperatures today are expected to be 74 in Woodland Hills and 70 in Burbank and Van Nuys. Wednesday, temperatures may rise to 78 in Woodland Hills and 74 in Burbank and Van Nuys.