Santa Ana winds help set record highs in San Diego, Oceanside and Chula Vista

Hot, dry Santa Ana winds pushed the temperature to 89 degrees Sunday in San Diego, the highest recorded on March 8 since 1875 when the mercury rose to 85, the National Weather Service says. The new record was set at San Diego International Airport.

Chula Vista reached 91, the highest reading for that date since 1996, when the temperature peaked at 90. And Oceanside Harbor topped out at 81, the highest reading for that date since 1916, when the temperature rose to 76.

The winds were strong countywide. The weather service reported the following gusts: Camp Pendleton, 39 mph; Imperial Beach, 33 mph; Julian, 32 mph; Gillespie Field, 31 mph; San Diego International Airport, 29 mph; Descanso, 28 mph; Ramona, 26 mph; and Montgomery Field, 20 mph.

Forecasters expect the Santa Ana winds to be gone by early Monday, resulting in typical seasonal temperatures throughout the region. But the weather will turn hot again later in the week. The daytime high in San Diego is expected to reach 73 on Wednesday, 86 on Thursday and 83 on Friday.

Escondido is expected to reach 81 on Wednesday, 95 on Thursday and 94 on Friday. Borrego Springs will climb to 85 on Wednesday, 93 on Thursday, and 98 on Friday.

No appreciable rain is expected through Sunday.

Current forecasts suggest that skies will be fairly clear at 8:14 p.m. Thursday when the International Space Station will come into view for nearly five minutes. Look above the west-southwest horizon.