May Gray Or Beach Day? The Mixed Forecast For Memorial Day Weekend

LOS ANGELES — Some classic May gray could keep SoCal on the cooler side for at least part of the upcoming holiday weekend, but warm-up could arrive just in time for Memorial Day, according to early forecasts.

According to the National Weather Service, the week started with afternoon highs up to 10 degrees below normal in the valleys, ahead of more abundant sunshine and slightly warmer temps on tap for the holiday.

In Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, and San Diego counties forecasters warn of drizzle and a highs from 66 to 68 degrees Thursday and Friday. Inland areas will warm up to 75 degrees in inland areas on Memorial Day while remaining in the upper 60s along the coast, according to the National Weather Service.

Periods of gray will look to return Thursday into Saturday, courtesy of a thickening marine layer, which forecasters said will knock at least a few degrees off temperatures across the board.

"This should deepen the marine layer again and extend low clouds into [the] foothills each night and morning, and make it harder for coastal areas to get sunshine in the afternoons," NWS San Diego said Monday. "This will also boost those seasonal winds in the mountains and deserts. The cooler weather starts Thursday, and right now, Saturday appears to be the coolest day."

Fortunately, forecasters in Los Angeles and San Diego said early models suggest a ridge of high pressure could help "smoosh" the marine layer Sunday and Monday, limiting clouds and allowing temps to heat back up around Memorial Day.

Updated climate outlooks favor temps near their seasonal normal close out the month and kick off June, with a good shot for things to stay dry. More details on the holiday weekend weather will be available as the forecast firms up in the coming days.