Sold on day off

Presidents’ Day is a major weekend for auto sales, and sales staff said warm, clear weather was drawing throngs of people to Connell Chevrolet on Harbor Boulevard.

“It’s absolutely massive here,” said sales representative Martin Jones on Sunday, referring to the crowds of prospective car buyers that he expected to continue through the holiday weekend. “The floor down here is completely packed.”

But despite the day off, Monday is expected to be less hospitable for outdoor shopping and other recreation, as the National Weather Service is predicting a drop in temperature and scattered showers throughout the Newport-Mesa region.

“The center of the low pressure is going right over us, so the instability might even cause some thunder,” said agency forecaster Steve Vanderburg.

Rain won’t likely outlast the day, and the next few days should be dry, he said.