Storm to Lend a Sultry Look to Holiday

Temperatures over the Labor Day holiday weekend--pushed in part by a tropical storm in Mexico--are expected to creep upward, leading to warm, cloudy and muggy conditions by Monday.

Humidity caused by the storm and a high-pressure system building over the West will begin to be felt by Sunday, said National Weather Service forecaster Wilbur Shigehara.

“It will be nice through Saturday, but clouds and humidity will increase Sunday,” he said.

Although the county had its share of humidity last month, Shigehara said this August was the second-coolest since 1975, with an average high temperature of 71 degrees. The coolest August occurred last year, when the average temperature was 69 degrees. The average high for the month is 78 degrees.

Only a trace of rain fell in August, but, according to Shigehara, that’s not unusual.

“August is normally the third-driest month in the year,” he said. “It usually brings 0.11 inches of rainfall, but, since 1975, there have been six Augusts with a trace or no rain at all.”

Sunshine for the month was near normal and provided the county with 72% sunny days. August normally brings an average of 69% sunshine.

The moisture coming up from Mexico is the result of Hurricane Kristy, which is dissipating into a tropical storm. Even so, remnants of the storm, coupled with thousands of people heading to the beaches, could pose problems.

“We expect this to be a real busy weekend,” said San Diego city lifeguard Sean Green. “Maybe around 100,000 or more (at the beaches) every day through Labor Day.

“Because of a hurricane off of Mexico, the swells are supposed to be up on Sunday, and if that happens, I can guarantee that rescues will be up,” Green said.

Temperatures along the beaches are expected to be 68 to 74 through Saturday, increasing by a couple of degrees both Sunday and Monday. Surf is expected to be from 2 to 4 feet, with water temperatures near 67 degrees.

The forecast calls for coastal highs ranging from 75 to 82, with overnight lows of 59 to 66 through Saturday, increasing slightly through Monday.

Inland valleys will have highs of 85 to 95 degrees, with lows of 59 to 66 today and Saturday, increasing a couple of degrees through Monday.

Mountains and deserts will have partly cloudy afternoons, with a slight chance of thunderstorms through Saturday. Mountain highs will be 80 to 88 degrees, with lows of 58 to 65.

Desert highs will reach 105 to 112, with lows of 76 to 83.

Temperatures will increase slightly in the mountains and deserts Sunday and Labor Day.