Onshore/Offshore
Gusty onshore winds will continue tonight ahead of a dry cold front will arrive in the early morning hours. Winds shift back offshore behind the front, ushering in a dry air mass. Those winds could get gusty over the hills at times on Thursday. Compressional heating off the coastal ranges will also allow for warmer high temperatures Thursday *behind* the cold front. Further warming is expected on Friday before winds shift back onshore this weekend. A weak system will pass by to our north this weekend (the reason for the wind shift), but we’ll only see an increase in clouds. Another system Monday into Tuesday looks like it may dig a little deeper on the West Coast which could potentially lead to some rain.
Air Quality: GOOD ***GALE WARNING***
… for the near coastal waters from Pigeon to Point Piedras Blanas outside of Monterey Bay in effect until 3AM Thursday
Northwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 11 to 16 feet at 11 seconds possible.
Strong winds can cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Mariners should consider altering plans to avoid possible hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe wind and seas.
Overnight: Mostly clear with a few low clouds hugging the coast hills early, then dissipating by dawn. Gusty onshore wins at times, slowly shifting offshore overnight.
***WIND ADVISORY***
… in effect from midnight tonight until 10AM Thursday for the Diablo Range within Santa Clara County
North winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph possible.
Gusty winds can blow around unsecured objects, knock down tree limbs, and make driving difficult - especially for higher profile vehicles.
Thursday: Sunny with gusty offshore winds at times. Highs in the low 60s to low 70s on the coast and mid 60s to low 70s inland.
Friday: Mostly sunny with a few high clouds passing through. Slightly warmer with highs in the mid 60s to mid 70s. Breezy at times inland.
Extended: Onshore flow returns this weekend, cooling coastal areas back to seasonal normals and introducing some low clouds back into the forecast. A passing weather system will also bring a few high clouds. We’ll warm back up a bit Monday ahead of another system that could bring some light rain on Tuesday .
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 45ºF
HIGH: 63ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 41ºF
HIGH: 67ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for March 17th – 23rd 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”
