Temperatures to Drop Up to 8 Degrees Below Normal as Marine Layer Strengthens

Temperatures across Southern California will fall each day through Saturday as a marine layer deepens and pushes inland, bringing highs up to 8 degrees below normal, the National Weather Service said Friday.

A weak trough of low pressure will drive the cooling trend, with the entire region experiencing temperatures 3 to 8 degrees below normal by Saturday, forecasters said. Highs will range from the mid-60s to mid-70s.

The marine layer depth has reached about 1,700 feet, with clouds spreading across Ventura and Los Angeles counties, according to satellite data. Morning fog and low clouds will increase through the weekend as the marine layer extends further inland.

Wind advisories remain in effect for southwestern Santa Barbara County, where sundowner winds may gust between 30 to 50 mph Friday evening through Saturday morning. Gusts around Gaviota could reach 40 mph.

Current conditions Friday morning include patchy fog before 11 a.m., with skies becoming mostly sunny and highs near 80 degrees. South-southwest winds of 5 to 10 mph are expected.

Saturday will bring cloudy conditions through mid-morning before gradual clearing, with highs dropping to around 75 degrees. Southeast winds of 5 to 10 mph will shift to south-southwest in the afternoon.

The cooling pattern will continue Sunday with partly sunny skies and highs near 75 degrees. Patchy fog will return after 11 p.m. each night through the weekend.

Extended forecasts show temperatures remaining slightly below normal through mid-next week, with persistent marine layer clouds and fog during overnight and morning hours. The weather service describes the pattern as typical “May Gray” conditions for beaches and coastal areas.

Memorial Day Monday through Thursday will see gradual warming, with highs ranging from the mid-70s to near 80 degrees. Morning fog and clouds will continue before afternoon clearing.

Forecasters noted potential for significant warming late next week into early June as high pressure may build over the Arizona-Nevada region.

Here is the latest forecast for Pasadena from the National Weather Service as of 4:37 a.m. on Friday, May 23:

Today: Patchy fog before 11:00 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 80. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Patchy fog after 11:00 p.m. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 54. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Saturday: Patchy fog before 11:00 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Patchy fog after 11:00 p.m. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 55. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Patchy fog before 11:00 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Patchy fog after 11:00 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Memorial Day: Patchy fog before 11:00 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 76.

Monday Night: Patchy fog after 11:00 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Tuesday: Patchy fog before 11:00 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 11:00 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Wednesday: Patchy fog. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 79.

Wednesday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Thursday: Patchy fog. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 80.