Rain Returns This Weekend

Rain returns to our area this weekend. A complex storm system out over the Pacific will direct a weak atmospheric river into Northern California. The AR will slowly get pinched off, but a cold front will drag what’s left of it over the Monterey Bay region late Saturday into Sunday. Rain may begin earlier than that, however, as moist, westerly flow pushes into the coastal mountains for most of the day. Rainfall rates should be in the moderate category with frontal passage in the evening with occasionally gusty winds. Rain and lingering showers taper off by dawn on Sunday. Overall rainfall totals are likely to be in the 1-2” range for coastal mountains, 0.25-0.75” for cities around the bay and less for inland valleys.

AIR QUALITY: Good

Saturday: Clouds will be on the increase with some light rain at times in the coastal mountains, especially in the north. Brief light rain possible for coastal cities during the afternoon, but the majority of the rain will wait until after dark. Then, expect several hours of moderate rain for coastal areas (and lighter, more intermittent rain inland). Highs in the 50s. Occasionally gusty westerly winds.  

Overnight: Rain early, then slowly tapering off. Lows in the 40s. Breezy westerly winds at times.

Sunday: Decreasing clouds, clearing to mostly sunny during the afternoon. Breezy northwesterly winds at times. Slightly warmer, with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s.

Extended: A warmer, Pacific air mass will be present for the rest of the week with a large plume of moisture offshore. That moisture will manifest mainly in high clouds for us, though there is a slight chance of rain in the Wednesday/Thursday time frame.

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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 43ºF
HIGH: 60ºF

--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 37ºF
HIGH: 61ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for January 20^th – 26^th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and ABOVE 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