The Air Quality Is Not Quality

AIR QUALITY ALERT (PM2.5 AQI as of 7AM)
San Lorenzo Valley (243) Very Unhealthy
Hollister (129) Unhealthy S.G.
Salinas (136) Unhealthy S.G.
Santa Cruz (82) Moderate
King City (92) Moderate
Big Sur (75) Moderate
All other areas reporting good air quality.

A weak trough of low pressure will linger just off the West Coast into the weekend. The marine layer will remain deep enough for low clouds and cool, moist air to reach well inland. The burning portion of some area fires will actually end up below the marine layer at times, so lower air quality around the bay can be expected. There is some potential for warmer, dryer conditions and potentially some offshore winds next week.


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 around 70ºF with 80s to 90s 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.

Friday: 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 around 70ºF with 80s to 90s inland.
Onshore winds strengthen in the afternoon and early evening.

Extended: Staying a bit cool and cloudy on the coast Saturday, but warming expected both on the coast and inland into early next week.

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

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

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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for September 3^rd – 9^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.