Strong Thursday Storm
The weather pattern will remain
fairly active into next week. The next system will be the strongest on the
horizon—perhaps the strongest since December. Its associated cold front will
arrive early on Thursday with gusty winds, possible thunderstorms, and brief,
heavy rain. This fast-moving system will clear by late Thursday, but
additional, weaker systems are likely next week. Temperatures will warm up a
bit this weekend, but until then, will be quite cool.
***GALE WARNING***
The National Weather Service has issued a Gale Warning for the near coastal
waters of Monterey/Santa Cruz Counties outside of Monterey Bay from 3AM through
noon Thursday in the north and 6AM until 3PM Thursday in the south.
Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels
and reduce visibility.
Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in
port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe
conditions.
Overnight: Increasing low clouds with drizzle beginning in the coastal
mountains, transitioning to light rain before dawn. Most other areas will stay
dry outside of a few sprinkles. Expect coastal lows in the 40s with 30s to low
40s inland. Winds will increase throughout the night.
Thursday: A band of moderate to heavy rain will move from northwest to
southeast across the viewing area between 9AM and 3PM with greatest coverage
around noon. Southerly winds may gust as high as 45mph. Embedded thunderstorms
are also possible. After the front, scattered showers and isolated
thunderstorms will be possible, tapering off after dark. Highs in the upper 40s
to mid 50s.
Friday: Patchy morning fog, then
mostly sunny. Cool, with highs in the 50s.
Extended: The weekend is now looking dry and partly cloudy with scattered high
clouds moving through. Temperatures will slowly warm closer to normal by
Sunday. Early next week, a couple of weak weather systems take aim at the
coast.
The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for January 23rd – 29th
calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and BELOW
normal precipitation.
El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Neutral
(Winter) Forecast: Neutral
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 42ºF
HIGH: 60ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 36ºF
HIGH: 62ºF