Slow Moving Low

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) – The best chance of rain over the area will be on Wednesday, but it is still a relatively low chance. Even lower, but not zero percent, is the threat of thunderstorms. There is enough instability to get a thunderstorm going, but it may be difficult to access given the structure of the atmosphere on Wednesday. The most likely scenario is that we see partly cloudy skies throughout the day with maybe a shower or two.   

 Air Quality: Good 

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy early, then becoming partly cloudy with a chance for an isolated shower or two. Highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s. Breezy southwesterly onshore and up-valley winds late in the day.

Overnight: Partly to mostly cloudy, low clouds could thicken near the coast with patchy drizzle. Lows in the 40s, cooler for interior valleys and in the higher terrain with upper 30s expected. Areas of patchy fog possible. Light wind.
 
Thursday: Light southwesterly onshore flow becomes more northwesterly late in the day and winds will strengthen up valleys. Can’t rule out a few sprinkles or an isolated light shower. Highs in the upper 50s to mid-60s.  

Extended: After another chance for morning drizzle, dry weather returns on Friday. Onshore flow will keep coastal temperatures seasonable through the weekend, but building high pressure will warm inland valleys to above normal temperatures by Saturday and probably lasting through Tuesday of next week. Coastal areas are likely to experience the daily cycle of marine layer clouds.     

*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: 46ºF   
HIGH: 64ºF   

--INLAND CITIES--   
LOW: 42ºF   
HIGH: 70ºF   

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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for April 23^rd – 29^th calls for the likelihood of near 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: Abnormally dry for far 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 April 16th: 54.8ºF (avg. of 7 buoys) [Historic April Avg. SST: 55.1ºF]