Showers, Surf, & Frost
Cold air settles in over the region as we head into the weekend. Dry, sinking air arrives into Friday morning which will lead to chilly start to the day! Patchy frost can be expected for most inland low areas with a hard freeze possible in southern valleys. Saturday will remain cool and Sunday only slightly warmer before another cold front pushes through late Sunday night.
AIR QUALITY: Good to Moderate
**HIGH SURF ADVISORY**…for the immediate coastline of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties in effect from 7AM Thursday until 11AM Saturday.
*Large breaking waves of 12 to 15 ft with up to 18 ft along steep NW facing beaches.
* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches. Sudden immersion in cold water can result in cold water shock even for the most experienced swimmers. Cold water shock can result in dramatic changes in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, greatly increasing the risk of drowning in rough open waters.
*Northwest facing beaches are most at risk for large turbulent shore break and strong currents. Another round of high surf arrives Thursday, with similar impacts expected.
Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
***FREEZE WARNING***
…for the southern valleys and higher terrain of Monterey & San Benito Counties in effect from 12AM Saturday until 8AM Saturday
*Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 expected.
*Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Cold conditions will be hazardous to sensitive populations such as unhoused individuals.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly.
Be sure to open sink cabinet doors and/or drip faucets. This may help reduce or prevent damage to uninsulated pipes and other plumbing.
**FROST ADVISORY**
…for the northern valleys and coastal mountains of Monterey County and the lower valleys of San Benito County in effect from 12AM Saturday until 8AM Saturday
*Temperatures as low as 32 will result in frost formation.
*Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. Cold conditions will be hazardous to sensitive populations such as unhoused individuals. Cold Conditions can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
*Note: Any alerts from the National Weather Service in Monterey will be noted in italics above. Alerts may be edited for brevity or local clarification
Overnight: Mostly clear and chilly with patchy fog possible in some low, sheltered areas. Lows in the 30s to low 40s on the coast and upper 20s to mid-30s for inland valleys.
Saturday: Cool and occasionally breezy under mostly sunny skies. Highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s.
Extended: Expect another cold morning on Sunday followed by a cool day, though temps will be slightly warmer than Saturday. Clouds will be on the increase with a weak cold front arriving overnight into Monday morning. It’s possible we’ll see a few light, drizzly showers around the bay, but nothing substantial. High pressure will slowly build in from the south into the work week with highs returning back to around normal if not a bit above by mid-week.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 46ºF
HIGH: 66ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 41ºF
HIGH: 69ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for November 22nd – 28th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: La Niña Watch
- ENSO Forecast: Transition to La Niña into the fall and persist through the winter months.
- Area drought status: Abnormally dry for areas around Monterey Bay northward. Drought-free elsewhere.- Monterey Bay Sea Surface Temperature as of November 13th : 53.7ºF (avg of 7 buoys) [November Average: 56.6ºF]
