Warmer, Dry Week Ahead

Air Quality (as of 7:30PM):
Good for all reporting stations.

Weather Story: High pressure will dominate just off the coast for most of the week. The associated dome of air along with generally offshore winds will allow for significant warming for the Monterey Bay Area early in the week. Cooler surface air masses will invade from the north Wednesday and Saturday, but the general flow will remain offshore during the period and high temperatures will likely remain above normal. On the flip side, mornings will be chilly because of the dry air mass in place. No rain is expected within the next 7 days with the next chance looking like March 2^nd or so.

Overnight: Mostly clear and chilly with coastal lows in the upper 30s to low 40s and upper 20s to 30s inland. Breezy over the ridgetops at times, tapering off before dawn.

Monday: Mostly sunny with a few high clouds passing through. Warm, with coastal highs in the mid 60s to mid 70s and upper 60s to low 70s inland. Light offshore winds early in the day with a light sea breeze in the afternoon.

Tuesday: Offshore winds pick up over the hills early Tuesday morning and will strengthen into the afternoon. In the low levels, winds will remain light and offshore which will lead to another warm day with widespread 60s-70s for highs.

Extended: Winds will pick up with a dry cold front on Wednesday, cooling most locations 5-10ºF. However, highs will remain above normal. Expect chilly mornings Thursday and Friday with slowly warming highs. Another dry cold front will likely pass on Saturday and could have similar impacts to what we see on Wednesday.

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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 45ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
 
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 40ºF
HIGH: 65ºF

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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for March 1^st – 7^th calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and near normal precipitation. 
 
-El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Weak La Niña
-Forecast into Summer: Neutral

-Area drought status: Abnormally dry for most of the viewing area, moderate drought for most of Santa Clara County outside of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the northeastern sections of San Benito County.