Cool & Unsettled

Showers taper off overnight as the atmosphere slowly stabilized behind this most recent weather system. Northwest winds will likely remain gusty at times as the cool air mass settles in and trapped moisture in the valleys may lead to a little fog. We’ll have a seasonably cool day on Thursday before the next weak weather system arrives Friday morning. This fast-mover will have some wind and only a splash of rain as it rushes by. Models are trending dryer. Another system will arrive Saturday afternoon/evening and while it will likely have better rain chances and another shot of wind, it doesn’t look all that troublesome and will be out of here by dawn Sunday.

AIR QUALITY: GOOD

From the National Weather Service in Monterey…
**HIGH SURF ADVISORY**
…for the immediate coast of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties in effect now until 4AM Thursday

*Large breaking waves of 19-23 feet.

*Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties, and beaches. These waves can also move large objects such as logs, crushing anyone caught underneath.

*West and northwest facing beaches are most at risk for large turbulent shore break and strong currents. Never turn your back on the ocean!
 
A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents, localized beach erosion and sneaker waves.

Overnight: Slow clearing of clouds, though a few more showers may linger over the hills and along the coast. Gusty northwest winds continue at times, though fog may develop in sheltered valleys. Lows in the 40s on the coast, 30s to low 40s inland.

Thursday: Becoming mostly sunny and slightly warmer, but remaining seasonably cool with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s.

Friday: A weak system will pass by in the morning with clouds, isolated showers, and gusty northwesterly winds. Then, skies clear to mostly sunny with seasonably and breezy conditions for the remainder of the day.

Extended: Another round of rain will arrive later in the day Saturday with occasionally gusty winds. Temps will be cool for the weekend, but dry weather returns Sunday afternoon. We’ll stay dry on Monday, but additional weak systems are possible mid-week. Long term models are trending wetter (and warmer) after January 14^th or so.

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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 42ºF
HIGH: 60ºF

--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 37ºF
HIGH: 61ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for January 11^th – 17^th calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.

- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: El Niño Advisory
- ENSO Forecast: Strong to Very Strong El Niño expected this winter.
-Area drought status: Currently drought-free