Weather Eye: Lots of summer weather ahead, so get out there and enjoy

We discussed on a couple of occasions last week that we expected a fairly decent weekend, and it is upon us in good fashion. A morning overcast slowly burned off Saturday afternoon, which had partly to mostly sunny skies. Highs were still below normal in the 70s. Today, we have more blue sky and sunshine, with temperatures reaching the season averages around 82 degrees or so.

Monday will be a repeat of today, and then another weak weather system skirts by to the north but has enough strength to usher in some marine air for morning clouds Tuesday and Wednesday with pleasant afternoon temperatures close to 80 degrees or so.

We also chatted about the possibility of some hot weather after Wednesday. Forecast models still indicate we will get into the 90s on Thursday and Friday. The weekend may stay warm or another weather system may bring cooler ocean air inland.

Regardless, this week climate-wise is our driest and warmest period of the year. That can ramble on into the first week of August. Yes, we are in the dog days of summer.

If you were at the ocean beaches this weekend, it was pleasant there with more blue skies and sunshine than the interior on Saturday. Afternoon temperatures along the Long Beach Peninsula were in the low 70s, with light northwest winds. Does it really get any better than that? Perfect beach weather for sunbathing, splashing in the waves or flying a kite.

The government issued its extended weather outlook, which is calling for warm and dry conditions next month. Of course, August generally is warm and dry, but it may be a tad warmer than July, which behaved more like late May or early June.

The climate outlook issued July 21 calls for August through October to be warmer and drier than average. Maybe a nice fall heading our way?

Have you heard any crickets out there recently? They usually begin their nocturnal melody about this time of the year. There is lots of summer weather remaining, so get outside and enjoy.

Patrick Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at http://patricktimm.com

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