Cold, Stormy Weather Continues Most of Friday
The cold, upper level low continues to linger just to our east, but will slowly move out of California. Still Friday will be cold, windy, and moist northwest flow will keep the shower machine running... though the air moving in will ever so slowly dry us out. Showers will become less numerous later in the day and all but shut down by sunset. We’ll remain in cool and occasionally blustery northwest flow through the weekend. Friday’s temperatures will remain 10-20ºF below normal and the weekend will only be slightly warmer. Conditions will be much dryer this weekend—there is a chance for a few coastal sprinkles on Saturday and a few isolated showers as a passing but dying weather system moves into our area. When will we warm up? Find out in the extended forecast below.
AIR QUALITY: Good
***GALE WARNING***
… in effect now until 3pm Friday for Coastal Waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas California out to 10 nm.
*Northwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 11 to 14 ft expected.
*Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions.
Friday: Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms slowly tapering off throughout the day. Small hail possible. Additional snow possible above 3,000ft. Cool with gusty northwesterly winds. Highs in the 50s for the coast and valleys, 40s for the higher elevations. Rain and snow showers should ease by the evening with only a few isolated showers remaining after sunset.
Overnight Decreasing clouds becoming partly cloudy at the coast, mostly clear for interior locations. Mountain ranges will still have a few hovering clouds. Chilly lows in the upper 30s to mid 40s at the coast, upper 20s to mid 30s inland. Breezy northwesterly winds, gusty at times. Areas of fog possible by dawn for sheltered valleys.
Saturday: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Can’t rule out a few sprinkles near the coast late. Breezy northwesterly winds and just a touch warmer with highs in the 50s to around 60ºF.
**FROST ADVISORY**
..for the higher terrain and valleys of Monterey & San Benito Counties in effect from 1AM Saturday until 9AM Saturday
*Temperatures will drop into the 33-36 degree Fahrenheit range, resulting in frost formation.
*Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered.
*These temperatures will be hazardous to sensitive populations such as unhoused individuals.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
Extended: A weak system will pass by on Sunday and may bring a few light showers, but they shouldn’t be all that impactful. Highs remain quite cool for this time of year with upper 50s to low 60s. We’ll then slowly warm into the work week with highs returning to above normal levels by Tuesday and staying there through the end of the week! Get ready for 70s and even a few inland 80s!
*Note: Any alerts from the National Weather Service in Monterey will be noted in italics above. Alerts may be edited for brevity or local clarification (in parenthesis).
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 46ºF
HIGH: 64ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 41ºF
HIGH: 69ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for April 12th – 18th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal precipitation.
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: El Niño Advisory, La Niña Watch
- ENSO Forecast: Transition from El Niño to neutral by Spring and then to La Niña by summer.
-Area drought status: Currently drought-free
