Frigid Nights
The cold air mass behind this past weekend’s weather system will settle into the region early this week. High will be cool and lows will be downright frigid. High pressure will then slowly build in from the west, warming us up and modifying our current air mass. A weak weather system will slide down the coast Sunday and may bring a shower or two, but the most likely scenario is another shot of cool air and gusty winds.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a few high clouds passing through. Occasionally breezy over the ridgetops. Highs in the 50s with a few higher elevation spots remaining in the 40s.
***FREEZE WARNING***
… for southern Monterey & San Benito Counties through 12AM-9AM Wednesday.
Subfreezing temperatures expected both Monday night and Tuesday night. Overnight lows forecast in the 20s and low 30s.
Locations effected: Southern Salinas Valley, Arroyo Seco, Lake San Antonio, the Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, the mountains of San Benito County and interior Monterey County including Pinnacles National Park.
Freeze conditions can kill crops and other sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
Overnight: Clear and cold, yet, a few degrees warmer than Monday night. Expect lows in the upper 20s to mid 30s on the coast and 20s inland with widespread frost around the region and a hard freeze possible for the higher inland valleys.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a few high clouds passing through and a few low clouds possible near the coast late. A little warmer with highs in the 50s to low 60s.
Extended: Temperatures (both low and high) will slowly warm through the end of the week with the warmest day likely being on Friday. Highs will then cool a bit Saturday as the next weather system approaches. It will arrive Sunday into Monday and will likely bring another shot of cooler air and some wind. There will also be a slight chance of showers, but we’re more likely to remain dry.
The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for February 11th – 17th calls for the likelihood of BELOW 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: 44ºF
HIGH: 61ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 38ºF
HIGH: 63ºF
