From The Heat To Rain?
Temperatures will continue to cool Friday as the hot ridge of high pressure moves farther east. In its place, a cutoff area of low pressure will move in from the south. Southerly winds will increase ahead of the low and could get gusty on the coast Friday afternoon. A few light showers may develop around the Monterey Bay Area after dark Friday but the better chance for rain will commence as the low arrive Saturday morning. At the moment, it looks like scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will develop across the region, moving from south to north. Brief downpours and lightning are the main threats. This activity should die off Saturday afternoon. A weak trough of low pressure will remain in place across the West Coast next week, which will lead to seasonable temperatures, increased clouds, and possibly additional rain chances… stay tuned.
***GALE WARNING***
-Until 9pm this evening for the Monterey Bay waters and down to Point Piedras Blancas.
-West winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt expected.
-Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Friday: Scattered high clouds continue to move in from the south. Southerly winds will begin to push the low clouds up into the north end of the bay with clearing on the south/east sides. Winds could get gusty at times on the exposed coast. Temperatures will generally be seasonable with coastal highs in the 60s to low 70s and 70s to low 80s inland. Light showers will be possible around the Monterey Bay Area after dark.
Overnight: Drizzle to light showers possible overnight. We'll see mostly cloudy skies, as well. Expect coastal lows in the low 40s with upper 40s to low 50s inland.
Saturday: As the low approaches from the south, isolated showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop across the region into Saturday morning. Some may have brief downpours and lightning. Southerly winds will persist throughout the day and could be breezy at times. Conditions will feel warm and a bit muggy. Expect highs in the upper 60s to upper 70s on the coast and mid-70s to low 80s inland. Shower activity should die down in the afternoon.
Extended: A somewhat complex pattern will develop for most of next week with a trough of low pressure stalled on the coast. Surface flow will remain onshore, which will likely mean periods of low clouds and seasonable to slightly cool temperatures. However, with low pressure aloft, the marine layer can destabilize and the clouds can mix out. So, we’ll have to look for some of the smaller scale features as the days get closer. There may also be a chance of rain next week, though I don’t expect it to be widespread or heavy.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 51ºF
HIGH: 67ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 47ºF
HIGH: 79ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for June 5th-11th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal precipitation.
-El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Neutral
-Forecast into Summer: Neutral
-Forecast into Winter: Trending toward La Niña
-Area drought status: Good to Abnormally Dry
