Rain Ends, Cold Begins
Cold air filters into the area overnight in the wake of a pair of weather systems that brought light rain to the region. The air mass will start off somewhat moist, keeping low clouds & fog in the forecast, especially for valleys areas, but it will slowly dry out in the coming days. That drying process will mean warmer afternoons, but nights get colder. Saturday morning is likely to be the coldest, both on the coast and inland where all areas will likely be in the 30s or colder! “Colder” will be limited to inland valleys, however.
AIR QUALITY: GOOD
Overnight: Mostly cloudy with showers tapering off. Then, partial clearing with fog developing in valley bottoms. Lows in the 30s inland, upper 30s to low 40s on the coast. Gusty northerly winds over the hills and on the exposed coast.
**FREEZE WARNING**
…from the National Weather Service in Monterey for the southern valleys of Monterey & San Benito Counties in effect from midnight tonight until 9AM Friday
*Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 expected. For the Freeze Watch, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25 possible.
*Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Pets and livestock can be injured in these conditions. Unsheltered and sensitive people may be harmed by the cold temperatures.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
Friday: Sunny with only a few very thin high clouds passing through. Seasonably cool with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. Gusty northerly winds over the hills and breezy conditions elsewhere, calming late.
*FREEZE WATCH*
… in effect from late Friday night through Saturday morning. For Southern valleys, and interior mountains of Monterey and San Benito Counties.
*Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 possible.
*Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
Saturday: Clear and cold in the morning with widespread frost for inland valleys and patchy frost approaching the coast. Then, mostly sunny and slightly warmer with seasonable to slightly warm highs—low to mid 60s for most areas.
Extended: We’ll be a few degrees warmer Sunday morning, but it will still be cold! Expect mostly sunny skies, cold nights, and warm afternoons for most of next week. Clouds and wind will pick up a bit Monday with a passing system and then perhaps again on Thursday.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 43ºF
HIGH: 60ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 37ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for December 15th – 21st calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal precipitation.
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: El Niño Advisory
- ENSO Forecast: Strong to Very Strong El Niño expected this winter.
-Area drought status: Currently drought-free
