The Forecast: Clouds and More Clouds

It should come as no surprise that clouds are predicted for the weekend. Not only has recent weekend weather prepared San Diegans for less than sunny forecasts, the calendar is set for typical San Diego spring weather. The second-cloudiest month of the year in San Diego ends today--and the cloudiest month of the year begins Saturday.

Familiar night and morning clouds are staying longer and car

rying extra moisture this week, generating drizzle in several areas of the county. Light rain was reported in Campo, Point Loma, Mission Valley, Ramona and Old Town on Thursday.

According to the National Weather Service, the sub-tropical coastal cloud cover also brings the muggy air with higher humidity, in the 65% to 70% range along the coast and in the 58% to 65% range inland. There will be a chance of misty rain through the weekend.

The marine layer along the coast is expected to deepen today, encouraging clouds to cling rather than burn off, forecasters said, although partial afternoon clearing was forecast through Sunday.

Forecaster Wilbur Shigehara said the Southland will remain under the influence of a low-pressure system from the Pacific Northwest for at least a few days.

“Once it comes in, it will take its time moving out. There will just be minor changes in the weather from day to day,� Shigehara said.

Sun seekers can head to the mountains and deserts, where the same low-pressure system will bring clearing instead of clouds. It will also, however, generate occasionally gusty winds up to 25 m.p.h., especially through coastal passes.

Breezes along the coastal and inland areas will also blow at a higher than normal velocity. Forecasters expect winds of 10 to 17 m.p.h.

Temperatures should remain cool through Sunday, with highs in the 60s at the beach, where south to southwest winds of up to 16 knots are expected. The ocean water temperature hovers at 65 degrees.

High temperatures in coastal strip areas are expected in the high 60s with lows around 60 through Sunday.

Inland valley highs will be in the low 70s, and overnight temperatures will drop to around 50. Mountain highs of about 60 may dip to lows in the 38- to 48-degree range.

Desert highs are expected to be in the 90s with lows in the 60s through the weekend.