Monday Will Be A Shock

WEATHER STORY

Expect much cooler temperatures as we head into the work week.
The big ridge of high pressure that brought historically hot temperatures to the region finally moves away on Monday, allowing for a weather system to sneak in from the northwest. Northwesterly onshore winds will precede the system and bring a shocking cool down to the area on Monday which will last through mid-week. The actual system will slip by early Tuesday morning, however don’t expect much if any precipitation. The most likely scenario is a few sprinkles or perhaps some drizzle. While the system will bring cooler temperatures, it will also bring gusty winds staring Monday and perhaps lasting into Wednesday. Temperatures will then slowly warm toward the end of the week as weaker high pressure builds in. Another weak weather system will then arrive out of next weekend.

Air Quality: GOOD to MODERATE

Overnight: Low clouds and fog on the coast and even into nearby valleys, otherwise mostly clear with a few high clouds passing through. Expect lows in the 40s to low 50s on the coast and mid 30s to 40s inland.

Monday: Patchy low clouds on the coast during the day, otherwise mostly sunny. Much cooler with increasing northwesterly winds. Expect highs in the upper 50s to low 60s on the coast and 60s-70s inland.

**Gale Watch**
... for the near coastal waters outside of Monterey Bay Monday evening into Tuesday evening.

Tuesday: A cold front will pass early in the morning with gusty winds and possibly a few sprinkles. Temperatures will remain chilly on Tuesday with gusty winds at times. Expect highs in the 50s-60s both on the coast and inland.

Extended: Temperatures will slowly warm back up into the weekend and while they will be above normal, will feel much cooler than the previous week! The next weather system will be here Sunday into Monday and will likely bring clouds, cooler temps, possibly some wind and possibly some precipitation.

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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 44ºF
HIGH: 62ºF

--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 40ºF
HIGH: 64ºF

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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for February 21^st – 27^th calls for the likelihood of BELOW 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”