Rain on the Way

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) – After a pleasant Saturday, rain chances increase late tonight along with gusty winds and cooler temps with this weather pattern lasting into early half of next week. We may squeeze another nice afternoon with some clearing Sunday. But more clouds, wind, cool temps and rain chances expected again on Monday, so keep the rain gear out. Rounds of scattered showers expected for Monday and Tuesday. Stay tuned for the latest details.

Air Quality: Good to Moderate

***Gale Warning***...from 3 am to 3 pm Sunday

*For coastal waters from Pigeon Point to Point Piedras Blancas out 10 nm.

*Southeast winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt

Strong Southeast winds will cause hazardous seas, and could capsize vessels and reduce visibility. Mariners will need to alter plans and seek safe harbor.

Overnight: Mostly cloudy with rain showers. Mild temps overnight with lows mid to upper 40s.

Sunday: Clouds and rain showers early then some clearing by the afternoon with sunshine. Highs in the upper 50s to 60s. Rainfall totals will be light.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, cool and breezy with rain showers. Pockets of brief moderate to heavy rain is possible at times. Highs low to mid 60s mainly.

Extended: Mostly cloudy with rain chances and gusty winds on Monday as a cold front works through the area. Can't rule out pockets of heavier showers but rainfall totals with be light. Our pattern looks somewhat unsettled through midweek but may turn out to be on the drier side for the rest of the week into the weekend with temps warming up. We could be back into the upper 60s and 70s by next weekend.

*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 4^th – 10^th calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and near 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 28^th: 55.0ºF (avg. of 7 bouys)
[Historic March Avg. SST: 55.3ºF]