Cooler, But Continued Fire Danger

Air Quality Report (As of 7AM)
All reporting stations are good to moderate

Temperatures will continue to slide downward toward the end of the week with periods of high fire danger. The blocking pattern to our west will ease further west in the coming days while a deep trough of low pressure across the northern U.S. digs farther south and backs westward.  As this happens, we will be under stronger northwest flow aloft. At the surface, however, we’ll see several bursts of north-northeasterly offshore winds in the coming days. These winds will bring gusty, dry conditions to the mountains later in the week and probably again out of the weekend. Each of these bursts of wind will usher in an even cooler air mass.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a few high clouds passing through. Dry gusty winds over the hills. Expect coastal highs in the mid-60s to low 70s with upper 70s to low 90s inland.

***RED FLAG WARNING***
From the National Weather Service in Monterey…
… for the Diablo Range in Santa Clara County from 10PM Wednesday through 8AM Friday
… for the Santa Cruz Mountains from 1AM Thursday through 8AM Friday
… for the “North Coast” of Santa Cruz County into San Mateo County from 1AM Thursday through 8AM Friday

WIND: North to northeast 10 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Locally stronger winds are possible over the higher ridges, peaks, and passages that lead to the shoreline. Winds will be strongest during the overnight hours. Locally stronger winds are possible over the higher ridges and peaks.

HUMIDITY: Daytime humidities in the 12-30% range with poor overnight recoveries.

Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Overnight: Patchy fog possible along the coast, mostly clear skies elsewhere. Expect coastal lows in the upper 40s to low 50s with 40s for inland valleys and upper 50s to low 60s in the hills.
 
Thursday: Patchy fog possible on the coast early, otherwise mostly sunny with a few thin clouds passing through. Slightly cooler with coastal highs in the 60s to low70s and 70s to 80s inland. Gusty dry winds over the hills.

Extended: Temperatures continue to fall as we head into the weekend with dry winds over the hills and mostly sunny skies. Another stronger shot of offshore winds is likely late Saturday into Monday.

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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 49ºF
HIGH: 69ºF

--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 45ºF
HIGH: 78ºF

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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for October 28^th –  November 3^rd calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal precipitation. 
-El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Neutral
-Forecast into Winter: La Niña Advisory

-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.