Dry But Cool Saturday

Air Quality (as of 11AM):
Good for all reporting stations.

Weather Story: A weak ridge of high pressure will move over Saturday and then will be followed by the next wet weather system Sunday into Monday. The latest timing has a cold front bringing rain to the region late Sunday with rain lasting into early Monday morning. Showers are then likely on Monday afternoon as the cold core of the system passes through. Then, high pressure nudges in from the south which should warm us up. However, a few weather systems may skim across the top of the ridge and could be close to impacting us.

**Gale Watch**  

In effect from Sunday evening through Monday afternoon for the Monterey Bay, coastal waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas California out to 10 nm, and coastal waters from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos California out to 10 nm.

Northwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 – 40 kt possible. Strong winds can cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

Mariners should consider altering plans to avoid possible hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe wind and seas.

Saturday: Patchy low clouds near the coast, otherwise mostly sunny. Cooler, with breezy onshore flow. Coastal areas top out in the 50s with inland areas reaching the low 60s.

Overnight: Low clouds for the coast and inland valleys with patchy fog/drizzle possible. Lows in the 40s on the coast with 30s-40s inland.

Extended: After a mild day Sunday, rain arrives in the evening and will last into the overnight. Rainfall will generally be light to moderate and clear out Monday during the day. Temperatures warm next week as high pressure builds in from the south. A weather system passing by to our north on the 18^th may have to be watched, however.

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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 45ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
 
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 40ºF
HIGH: 67ºF

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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for March 20^th – 26^th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and BELOW 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.