Still Gusty, But Warmer

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) – Temperatures continue to head upward on Monday as high pressure nudges in from the west. The wind machine will keep going, however. In fact, the transitional period will feature dry northerly winds over the hills into Monday and really all the way into Tuesday morning. Highs will be 5-10ºF above normal on Monday and temps will cool slightly Tuesday as the northerly winds ease.  
 
Air Quality: Good to Moderate    
  
***GALE WARNING***  
...for the near coastal waters from Pigeon Point to Point Piedras Blancas (outside of Monterey Bay) in effect until 9PM Tuesday.  
   
*Northwest winds 15 to 30 kt with gusts up to 45 kt and seas 8 to 10 ft 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 hazardous conditions.   
 
Monday: Mostly sunny with a few high clouds passing through. Gusty north-northwesterly winds at times. Warmer, with coastal highs in the low 60s to mid-80s—warmest on the north side of the bay—and upper 70s to upper 80s inland. A few low clouds on the coast late.  

Overnight: Low clouds thicken, filling most of the bay with patchy low clouds pushing into nearby valleys with patchy fog possible. Mostly clear inland. Slightly warmer lows with mild temperatures, coastal areas in the 50s, interior areas in the upper 40s to low 50s.  Winds occasionally gusty.
 
Tuesday: Becoming mostly sunny with a few high clouds passing through. Cooler, with coastal highs in the 60s-70s and upper 70s to 80s inland. Gusty northwesterly onshore winds at times.  
  
Extended: Temps bump back up Wednesday/Thursday with the ridge in control, then weak troughing on the coast will cool us back to normal for Memorial Day Weekend. Gusty winds continue throughout the week and into the weekend with elevated fire danger.  

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This week's normal temperatures:      
--COASTAL CITIES--      
LOW: 50ºF      
HIGH: 66ºF      
--INLAND CITIES--      
LOW: 47ºF      
HIGH: 76ºF       
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for May 26^th – June 1^st calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal precipitation.

- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: Neutral  
- ENSO Forecast: Neutral conditions persist through summer & possibly into next winter. 

-Area drought status: Abnormally dry for portions of southern San Benito and southeastern Monterey Counties. Drought-free for the remainder of the KION coverage area.   

-Monterey Bay Sea Surface Temperature as of May 19^th : 55.4ºF (avg. of 7 buoys) [Historic May Avg. SST: 55.8ºF]