| Day | Date | High/Low | Forecast |
| Mon | 30th | 72/57 | Partly to mostly cloudy through the evening. |
| Tue | 31st | 69/55 | Mostly cloudy through the evening. Chance of late afternoon through evening, light rain. |
| Wed | 1st April | 68/54 | Some clouds but mostly sunny day; Possibly breezy afternoon. Chance of evening low clouds. |
| Thu | 2nd | 69/54 | Morning low clouds likely; Mostly sunny afternoon with some high clouds. Chance of evening low clouds. |
| Fri | 3rd | 72/56 | Chance of early morning low clouds; Otherwise, mostly sunny day with some high clouds. Mostly clear evening. |
Synopsis
High pressure aloft still covers the Southwest, but for a change, a relevant trough is approaching California (not just the Pacific Northwest). This trough will bring the first measurable precipitation of the month to much of the state (nothing major through). In addition, temperatures should fall back to or even get slightly below normal tomorrow (at least at UCLA, the coolest since the 11th).
Temperatures didn’t warm as much as predicted these past few days (more so for areas near the coast). Chalk it up to better than expected on-shore flow (shallow but effective marine layer key closer to the coast). Still, there is a good chance that average-wise, this month will wind up as the warmest March on record in many locales (at UCLA, beating out March, 2015). March this year will also be among the driest on record despite the chance for wet weather tomorrow. [Note: UCLA records temperature and rainfall in Universal Time or Greenwich Mean Time. So, any rain falling after 5 PM on the 31st will be logged for the 1st of April.]
Weak high pressure aloft is expected to return briefly on Wednesday. Mostly sunny weather is anticipated, but any warming that day should be minor (a few model forecasts actually favor slightly lower temperatures relative to what happens tomorrow). A “inside slider” type trough is forecast to make a close by pass to southern California by Thursday. While parts of northern California (mostly around the higher mountains) should see some precipitation, little, if any, is expected to reach the Southland (best case being spotty, marine layer induced drizzle). It should, however, bring some breezy weather to interior sections (i.e. northern mountains/high desert region).
Stronger high pressure should develop over the state beginning on Friday (lasting through the weekend). A number of computer model forecasts predict a weak but full fledged, off-shore flow (as early as Friday morning). Santa Ana winds of significance aren’t common by the month of April, there is a chance that some higher mountains could see wind gusts peaking near 50 mph. Santa Ana wind prone areas at lower elevations shouldn’t see wind gusts exceeding 35 mph. At this point, I don’t have much confidence in the breezy weather (some wind perhaps, but staying below 25 mph).
If the off-shore flow comes as what some models show, Friday is likely to get warmer than I show for UCLA (could approach 80 degree mark). Widespread 80 degree weather is probable for most areas away from the coast this weekend (isolated readings in upper 80s possible).
Cooler weather should develop early next week. Model forecasts disagree on how strong a predicted, upper level trough will pass through the state (actually two separate troughs expected). Temperatures should fall back to near normal levels by the middle of next week. A few model solutions even show a minor threat of some wet weather next Thursday (nothing widespread in areal coverage). Some warming may occur over the subsequent weekend, but it should be minor.
Next issued forecast/synopsis may occur on Thursday, 2 April…time permitting.