Nothing Hot Can Stay

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) – We’re back to cooler weather for the foreseeable future. Southerly onshore flow will continue on Wednesday as the big, hot ridge moves to the east. Onshore flow will actually deepen Wednesday pushing clouds and cooler temperatures much farther inland. Drizzle may be possible at times as the marine layer deepens. Two weather systems will then pass by to our north Thursday into Friday, perhaps throwing a few light showers our way.

Air Quality: Good

*Beach Hazards Statement*
…for all beaches and the immediate coast in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties extended until Wednesday morning.

*A moderate period northwesterly swell will result in an increased risk for sneaker waves and rip currents.

*Sneaker waves can unexpectedly run significantly farther up the beach than normal, including over rocks and jetties. These waves can suddenly knock people off their feet and quickly pull them into the cold ocean waters, where currents will be stronger than normal. These waves can also carry driftwood logs and other debris.

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

Overnight: Low clouds for the coast and nearby valleys with patchy fog and drizzle possible. Lows in the 50s on the coast with a few pockets of 40s inland.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy early, then becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon—well, kind of. The southerly flow will likely clear out the south side of the bay while clouds will remain on the north side. Southerly onshore winds could be gusty at times, both on the coast and in the hills. Drizzle possible in the coastal mountains, especially late. Highs in the upper 50s to upper 60s on the coast—warmest on the south side of the bay—and 60s to mid-70s inland.

Thursday: Overcast early with a few light showers possible, especially in the north. Then, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Breezy southwesterly onshore winds becoming windy up valleys and in the hills. Clouds thicken again late with a drizzly, light rain possible, especially in the north.

Extended: Additional light precipitation is possible early on Friday before gradual clearing late. We’ll likely get a break in “the weather” on Saturday with seasonable temps (for coastal cities). Then, the active weather pattern returns with a weather system on Sunday, followed by a second Monday into Tuesday. There is some potential for heavier rainfall, but there is also a lot of uncertainty still.

*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.

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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 45ºF
HIGH: 63ºF

--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 41ºF
HIGH: 68ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for April 2^nd – 8^th calls for the likelihood of near normal temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: La Niña Advisory
- ENSO Forecast: Neutral conditions expected by April and then to persist into summer.
- Area drought status: Moderate drought for far southeastern Monterey County. Abnormally dry for southeastern Monterey County and eastern San Benito County. Drought-free for the remainder of the KION coverage area.
 Monterey Bay Sea Surface Temperature as of March 26^th: 56.0ºF (avg. of 7 bouys)
[Historic March Avg. SST: 55.3ºF]