Cozy with Clouds

AIR QUALITY ALERT (PM2.5 AQI as of 9AM)
San Lorenzo Valley (158) Unhealthy
Salinas (55) Moderate
Santa Cruz (106) Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Big Sur Ranger Station (52) Moderate
Good for all other reporting stations

A weak trough of low pressure will linger on the West Coast this week allowing our marine layer to stay fairly deep. This will in turn keep low clouds and cooler temperatures in the forecast, especially for the coast. Even inland areas will remain seasonable. The main threat for fire weather will occur in the afternoons when the sea breeze kicks in. That wind is typically dry to start inland but then moistens into the evening. The trough will weaken a bit by the end of the week allowing for slight warming.


Wednesday: Low clouds on the coast at times, otherwise mostly sunny and hazy to smoky. Expect coastal highs in the mid-60s to low-70s with 80s to around 100ºF inland. Onshore winds strengthen in the afternoon and early evening.

Overnight: Low clouds/fog for the coast and major inland valleys. Smoky near and below the fires. Patchy drizzle possible. Lows in the 50s-60s.

Thursday: Low clouds on the coast at times, otherwise mostly sunny and hazy to smoky. Slightly cooler on the coast with highs in the mid-60s to low-70s with 80s to around 100ºF inland.. Onshore winds strengthen in the afternoon and early evening.

Extended: Slight warming expected into the weekend, but low clouds will  linger on the coast at times.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 54ºF
HIGH: 71ºF

--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 51ºF
HIGH: 86ºF

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for September 2^nd – 8^th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal precipitation. Note: Little to no precipitation typically falls this time of year.

-El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Neutral
-Forecast into Winter: La Niña Watch

-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.