Seasonal Temps Heading into the Weekend
WEATHER STORY
A cold front associated with a trough of low pressure will move through the region overnight. It will keep skies partly cloudy through dawn. Then, dryer air will sneak in behind the front tomorrow, clearing us out. Temperatures will be a bit cool on Friday, then warm on Saturday as high pressure will then try to push back in from the west. But the pattern will amplify with a deeper trough developing over the interior of the western US through the weekend. We’ll be caught in between, which will likely lead to fairly seasonable weather but also windy conditions at times. The weather is expected to remain dry with the exception of any misty drizzle we can pull out of the low clouds.
FORECAST & ALERTS
***GALE WARNING***
… for the near coastal waters of Monterey County from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas extended until 9PM Friday.
-Northwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt expected.
Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions.
Friday: A few low clouds/fog in the morning, then becoming sunny and breezy. Highs in the upper 50s to 60s on the coast and mainly 70s-80s inland. Winds will get gusty on the exposed coast and in the valleys during the afternoon and early evening.
***Red Flag Warning***
In effect from 11 PM Friday evening to 6 AM Monday.
For the Diablo Range, in North San Benito County extending north: North Bay Mountains, especially the Napa County hills, East Bay Interior Valleys and East Bay Hills.
Moderate offshore winds and lowering humidity will develop this weekend. Dry northerly winds and warm temperatures will allow for rapid fire spread on any new ignitions, especially in the grass and dry brush.
Northerly winds 15 to 30 mph gusts 40 to 50 mph, above 2500 feet.
Relative humidity could lower 20-30 percent by Saturday morning, then drop 10-20% Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Interior temperatures highs into the 80s and lower 90s Saturday and Sunday afternoon. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions. Be extremely careful with open flames.
Overnight: Mostly clear skies, a few low clouds still possible along the coast. The clearer skies will lead to slightly cooler overnight lows, mostly in the 40s for both coastal and inland locations. Breezy conditions, gusty at times.
Saturday: Sunny and warmer with highs in the 60s to low 70s on the coast and 70s-80s inland. Breezy at times.
Extended: Expect seasonable temperatures under mostly sunny skies throughout the weekend. Northwesterly onshore winds will be gusty at times, especially in the afternoons and early evenings.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 48ºF
HIGH: 65ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 44ºF
HIGH: 75ºF
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for May 14th – May 20th calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and near normal precipitation.
-El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Weak La Niña
-Forecast into Summer: Neutral
-Area drought status: “Severe Drought” for Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties, along with northern Monterey, northern San Benito, and far southeastern Monterey Counties. The remainder of Monterey & San Benito Counties are in “Moderate Drought”
