Hold On to Your Hats! (Seriously, they might blow away if you don’t)
WEATHER STORY
High pressure builds back into the region through the work week. As it does so, winds will shift offshore and will be gusty in the mountains at times. The strongest winds will occur from Tuesday into Wednesday and will favor our northern mountains where advisories are in place (see below). This air mass moving in is cool and dry, which will lead to cooler than normal temperatures but also increased fire danger. December rains will limit the danger, but some areas have dried out in recent weeks. Temperatures will slowly climb back upward into the weekend.
Air Quality: GOOD to MODERATE
Tuesday: Sunny and seasonable to slightly cool with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s for most areas—lower 50s up in the mountains where northerly winds could get gusty at times. A few gusty may make it to the lower elevations late.
***GALE WARNING***
Waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas 10- 60 NM from 5PM this evening to 9AM Wednesday morning
*north winds 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and seas 11 to 13 feet at 11 seconds 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
**WIND ADVISORY**
… for the Diablo Range in Santa Clara County from 3AM Tuesday until 9AM Thursday
* North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. Wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph with isolated gusts in excess of 65 mph expected in the highest peaks and ridges.
… for the Santa Cruz Mountains from 9PM Tuesday until 9AM Wednesday
* North winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. Wind gusts in excess of 45 mph expected in the highest peaks and ridges.
* Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* Isolated wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible on the west or leeward side of the stronger winds in the adjacent hills/mountains.
Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.
Overnight: After dark, things will remain clear and particularly cold for inland spots with most temperatures sitting in the low 30s. Winds will continue to gust offshore over the mountains. The coast will be more tranquil, but still clear and chilly with lows in the 30s and 40s.
Wednesday: Gusty northwesterly winds at times, especially in the mountains. Mostly sunny and cooler with highs mainly in 50s.
Extended: A few high clouds will creep in at times for the remainder of the week. Highs will remain seasonable to slightly cool on Thursday but both highs and lows will warm up into the weekend.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 44ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 39ºF
HIGH: 63ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for February 8th – 14th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and BELOW normal precipitation.
- El Niño/La Niña STATUS: La Niña Advisory
- Forecast into Winter: Weak La Niña
-Area drought status: “Severe Drought” for most of the viewing area southern Monterey County now reduced to “Moderate Drought”
