Active But Not Extreme
A weak weather system will fly by on Friday morning with a stray shower or two, but otherwise expect a mostly sunny and seasonable day. A stronger system will arrive Saturday afternoon bringing gusty northwest winds and a better chance of rain. Still, amounts are likely to be light with the Saturday system. Showers could linger until dawn Sunday. The pattern will remain active with additional rain chances mid-week next week.
AIR QUALITY: GOOD
Overnight: Increasing clouds, becoming mostly cloudy after midnight. Chance of a shower between 3-7AM, though any showers will be isolated and light. Lows in the 40s on the coast and mid 30s to low 40s inland.
Friday: Decreasing clouds to mostly sunny conditions in the afternoon. Slightly warmer and seasonable with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. Gusty north-northwest winds at times, especially over the hills and in the valleys.
From the National Weather Service in Monterey…
*BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT*
…for the immediate coast of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties in effect from Friday morning until Friday evening
*Large breaking waves to 10 feet or greater expected.
* Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties, and beaches. Sneaker waves can also move large objects such as logs, crushing anyone caught underneath.
Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.
**FROST ADVISORY**
… for the southern valleys of Monterey & San Benito Counties in effect from Midnight until 10AM Saturday.
*Temperatures as low as 32 to 29 will result in frost formation.
*Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
Saturday: Mostly clear and chilly in the morning, then increasing clouds with rain possible in the afternoon. Rain will remain light. Gusty northwesterly winds at times.
Extended: Showers may linger to dawn on Sunday, then dry conditions expected through Monday. Then, we’ll be on the edge of a deep trough to the east with a blocking high to our west. This will be a chilly weather pattern for us, but occasional weather systems will slide by giving us rain chances mid to late next week.
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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 12th – 18th 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
