Dry Until Sunday
High pressure will exert its control into the weekend, giving us mostly clear skies and seasonable temperatures. The next weather system to affect the region will arrive on Sunday afternoon, bringing wind and rain. Stronger high pressure returns next week with dry, warmer weather expected, however mornings will be chilly.
*Beach Hazards*
… for the immediate coast of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties through 9AM Saturday …
Increased sneaker wave risk, increased risk of rip currents, large shore break.
Larger surf at offshore breaks and an enhanced risk of sneaker waves on northwest California beaches. Steep beaches will have a higher risk of sneaker wave activity with greater wave run-up onto beaches. Large waves will also wash over jetties and rock outcroppings that may normally stay dry.
A Beach Hazard Statement means the potentially dangerous conditions may exist on specific beaches. These hazards may include large shore break...strong rip currents...and possible sneaker waves. All of which could be life threatening.
An increased sneaker wave risk means that conditions are present to support a heightened risk of unsuspecting beach goers being swept into the sea by a wave. Rip currents are typically more frequent and stronger in the vicinity of jetties...inlets...and piers. Swimmers caught in a rip current should swim parallel to the coast to escape the rip current before trying to swim for shore. Swimmers should avoid swimming in areas of large shore break and always swim near a lifeguard. Fisherman should avoid fishing from rocks or jetties. Be sure to always keep your eyes on the ocean.
Overnight: Mostly clear with a few thin high clouds passing through. Expect lows in the 20s-30s for most inland areas where frost is likely and mid 30s to low 40s on the coast where patchy frost is possible. Patchy fog for some low valley areas, particularly in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the far southern valleys of Monterey County.
Saturday: Mostly sunny with periods of high clouds. Highs in the mid 50s to low 60s. High clouds increase late. Becoming breezy on the exposed coast late.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with light rain possible in the afternoon. Breaking into widespread showers in the evening with embedded thunderstorms possible. Breezy at times on the coast and near thunderstorms. Highs mainly in the mid 50s to low 60s.
Extended: Showers linger into the morning on Monday, but end for the afternoon. Expect, cool, breezy conditions. Temperatures will slowly warm up through the end of the week, though lows will be chilly. Highs should return to above normal levels by Thursday.
The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for January 4th – 10th calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal
temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.
El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Neutral
(Winter) Forecast: Neutral
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 41ºF
HIGH: 59ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 35ºF
HIGH: 61ºF
