Warm, Clear Days Are in the Forecast

Seasonably warm temperatures with mostly clear skies and moderate breezes in the afternoon are expected today and Tuesday, forecasters said.

“The upper-level, low-pressure system that brought clouds Saturday has moved off to the east and a high-pressure system is currently building over Southern California, which translates to a pretty nice day [today],” said Kevin Stenson, a meteorologist at WeatherData Inc., which provides forecast information to The Times.

The warmest spot in the Valley today is expected to be Woodland Hills, which could see an afternoon high of 74 degrees, Stenson said. Slightly cooler temperatures are forecast for Chatsworth, Burbank and Van Nuys, with similar temperatures expected Tuesday.

Morning lows through Friday should be in the low 50s throughout the Valley, Stenson said. Afternoon highs are also expected to remain steady, ranging from the low- to mid-70s, through Friday.

Light breezes in the morning are expected to kick up to 15 mph by the afternoon and evening and Tuesday with occasional gusts up to 25 mph, said Bruce Rockwell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Wednesday’s forecast calls for cloudy skies resulting from a storm system in the Gulf of Alaska, Stenson said. Thursday, morning clouds are expected to give way to mostly sunny skies by the early afternoon with winds from 15 to 25 mph from the northwest.

By Friday, most of the clouds should be off to the southeast, leaving clear skies and “no winds to speak of,” Stenson said.

Today’s ultra violet index in the Valley will be three, considered a low exposure level, Rockwell said. Individuals with fair skin should be safe from exposure for up to 20 minutes unless protected, he added.