Cooler temperatures and light drizzle on tap in L.A., but things heat up this weekend

A low cloud layer is moving across coastal Los Angeles County, bringing cooler temperatures and wind through Thursday before things heat up for the rest of the week, forecasters say.

The marine fog, which is extending into the valleys and mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, will likely bring morning drizzle Tuesday and Wednesday, the National Weather Service reported.

The cloud cover may part in the afternoons — though not everywhere — but temperatures are not likely to exceed the mid-60s through Wednesday, said meteorologist David Sweet with the weather service in Oxnard.

“We see this weather quite often in May and June,” said Sweet, referring to the foggy conditions dubbed “May gray” and “June gloom.” “Sometimes in April too — not too unusual.”

Despite the drizzle, the weather service issued a red flag warning, citing critical fire weather conditions in inland areas.

The alert, which warns of low humidity and strong winds that can fuel fires, is in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday in Owens Valley and the southern Inyo National Forest, Death Valley National Park and the Mojave Desert. Owens Valley and the Inyo National Forest could see westerly winds of 40 to 50 mph, with gusts possibly reaching more than 60 mph, the NWS reported. San Bernardino County is likely to have winds around 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph.

Blustery winds are also expected in the mountains of the Antelope Valley and parts of L.A. County, not including the Santa Monica range. The weather service issued a wind advisory from 2 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, warning of 15- to 25-mph winds, with gusts up to 45 mph. Parts of the Antelope Valley’s western foothills could experience gusts up to 50 mph, forecasters warned.

The NWS also issued a small-craft advisory through 9 p.m. Tuesday to caution inexperienced boaters in the Los Angeles and Oxnard areas against going out in hazardous sea conditions.

After the midweek mist, sunny Southern California should begin looking like itself again. The deep, low marine layer will give way to a bright weekend.

Beginning Friday, Sweet predicted clearing, drying and warming in the region, with temperatures rising to the 70s and 80s by Friday and some areas, such as Woodland Hills, possibly reaching the 90s on Sunday.