Mild Days, Cold Nights
Air Quality Report (As of 6:30pm)
All reporting stations are good.
Expect mild afternoons and chilly nights for the next few days as high pressure remains in control of our weather. Cold air will settle into the region overnight and could be gusty as it pours over the hilltops. With the dry air mass in place, there won’t be much moisture for insulation and thus, temperatures will be cold in the mornings as we head into the weekend. Some moderation can be expected with increased clouds by Sunday. Rain chances are looking slim to none in the short term.
From the National Weather Service in Monterey…
**HIGH SURF ADVISORY**
… for the south side of Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast until noon Thursday.
A large northwest swell train will persist to at least noon on Thanksgiving Day. Swell heights will build to 14 to 16 feet at 16 to 19 seconds through the day Wednesday which will result in large breaking waves of 18 to 24 feet, largest on northwest facing beaches. Brisk northwest winds will be at the back of these northwest waves and lead to enhanced coastal run-up that can shift the shoreline farther inland than individuals are accustomed to, and in some cases at shallow northwest beaches, envelop most of or all of the beach. In addition, enhanced coastal erosion of the summer beach profiles will continue in earnest with this large swell. Anomalously cool water temperatures and turbulent, unpredictable seas will lead to hazardous conditions along the coast. It is recommended that individuals stay off rocks and coastal jetties if visiting the coastline and remain vigilant of their surroundings until a safe distance from the coast.
WAVES AND SURF: Large breaking waves 18 to 24 feet along northwest facing coastlines.
Large breaking waves in the surf zone and on beaches. These large waves can be erratic and unpredictable and may injure or knock beachgoers into the cold, turbulent ocean. Strong winds at the back of these large breaking waves will enhance coastal run-up on beaches and increase coastal erosion, especially at northwest beaches.
A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing large breaking waves, rip currents, localized beach erosion and sneaker waves.
Overnight: A few clouds in the hills, slowly fading away toward dawn. Cool, with coastal lows in the mid-30s to low 40s with upper 20s to 30s inland where patchy frost is likely. Northerly winds will wind down on the coast as the night progresses but will persist over the hills.
Thanksgiving (Thursday): Sunny and seasonable with highs mainly in the 60s. Dry, northerly winds over the mountains and breezy conditions for inland valleys in the afternoon. Temperatures will fall off rapidly after dark.
Friday: Cold in the morning with patchy frost—inland lows in the 20s, mainly 30s on the coast. Then, warmer and sunny in the afternoon with highs in the 60s to around 70ºF.
Extended: Expect seasonable days and chilly nights through the weekend with occasional passing clouds. Rain will likely hold off for the next week or possibly two.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 44ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 38ºF
HIGH: 65ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for December 3rd – 9th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and BELOW normal precipitation.
-El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Weak La Niña
-Forecast into Winter: La Niña Advisory
-Area drought status: Moderate drought for much of Santa Cruz & Santa Clara Counties, Abnormally dry on the east shore of the bay into San Benito County. No drought classification for much of Monterey County outside of the Gabilan Range.
