Scattered Showers & Isolated T-Storm Chance This Afternoon

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) – The fast-moving system that brought widespread light to moderate rain to the Central Coast, leaves behind scattered showers. These showers will last throughout the day with some breaks. A weak, trailing disturbance will increase the chances of showers from late afternoon into early evening. The chance for thunderstorms during this period is also trending higher. Showers end by early Saturday morning with most of the weekend expected to be dry.

Air Quality: Good

***GALE WARNING***
… for Coastal Waters from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos out to 10 NM in effect until 3pm Friday, and for Coastal Waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas out to 10 NM until 9pm Friday.

*South winds 20 to 35 kt with gusts up to 40-45 kt and seas 7 to 11 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 hazardous conditions.

Friday: Becoming partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Gusty southerly winds switch to the northwest. Highs in the 50s. Shower chances increase from late afternoon into the early evening with a chance for thunderstorms.

Overnight: Lingering, isolated showers. Partly to mostly cloudy. Cool lows in the 40s for most locations, 30s for sheltered valleys and higher elevations. Northwesterly winds will breezy, occasionally gusty. Areas of fog by sunrise.

Saturday: Becoming mostly sunny and warmer with highs in the upper 50s to mid-60s. Breezy up valleys in the afternoon.

Extended: Dry conditions extend into Sunday with temperatures warming a few more degrees. The next storm system won’t be too far behind, though and by late evening, rain may begin once again. The system passes through on Monday with rain & wind and showers lasting into early Tuesday. Another system is then possible on Thursday.

*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.

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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 45ºF
HIGH: 63ºF

--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 41ºF
HIGH: 66ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for March 21^st – 27^th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal precipitation.
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: La Niña Advisory
- ENSO Forecast: Neutral conditions expected by April and then to persist into summer.
- Area drought status: Moderate drought for far southeastern Monterey County. Abnormally dry for southeastern Monterey County and eastern San Benito County. Drought-free for the remainder of the KION coverage area.
 Monterey Bay Sea Surface Temperature as of March 14^th: 53.2ºF (avg of 7 buoys)
[Historic March Avg. SST: 55.3ºF]