Nice Weather Likely Will Bring Out the Crowds

Near-perfect weather, crowded roads and increased police patrols will greet Ventura County residents today at the start of the four-day Thanksgiving weekend.

Sunny skies are expected to replace patchy morning fog along the coast, and the high temperature in Ventura and Oxnard is expected to be in the mid-60s, with inland cities reaching the mid-70s.

Friday will be similar, except for clouds late in the day and the possibility of rain between 6 p.m. and early Saturday morning. Periodic showers are forecast for Saturday afternoon.

“When the jet stream takes a dip, it allows storm systems to ride this far south,” said Dennis Tussey, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

For those bold enough to brave the ocean, a high-surf advisory will be in effect today, with warnings of 6- and 8-foot breakers on west-facing beaches and sets of waves topping 10 feet, Tussey said.

Drivers are advised that the California Highway Patrol is out in force through midnight Sunday.

“We’re going to experience a high volume of accidents and other related traffic concerns, like debris in the road, drunk driving--obviously--and speeders,” CHP Officer George Orozco said.

There was less of a hassle for travelers at Oxnard Airport, which saw a slight dip in passenger traffic Wednesday--the nation’s busiest travel day. A surge of passengers, though, was expected locally through the end of the month and into December, airport officials said.

“Our operations officers who were out and about have said it [passenger travel] is actually a little less than normal,” airport manager Tad Dougherty said Wednesday.

An average of 3,000 passengers a month, about 100 a day, fly out of Oxnard, according to Dougherty.

Also less crowded were local hotels, several of which reported only 50% occupancy Wednesday.

“It’s generally not a sellout weekend, as opposed to Memorial Day or Fourth of July,” said Anastasia Davidson, a manager at the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau. “A lot of people go out of town and visitors come at the beginning and end of summer, when they want to be at the beach.”

While room reservation lists were wide open, most restaurants dishing up turkey and stuffing promise to be packed.

At Mattie’s Oceanview Dining at the Pierpont Inn, about 650 dinners are expected to be served, said Larry Gist, the front desk manager.

“It’s a family tradition that’s been offered here since 1928,” he said.

In Thousand Oaks, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Charlie Harwood said deputies expect to handle an average number of calls for service today and Friday, but may see an increase in domestic violence cases, as is common during major holidays.

Deputies were also gearing up for massive crowds expected Friday at the county’s shopping malls.

“We may have some additional problems--shoplifters and stuff like that,” Harwood said.