Holiday Week Forecast
AIR QUALITY:
GOOD for all reporting stations
WEATHER STORY
We’ve been enjoying a nice break in the wet weather over the past few days, but that will come to an end soon. In the meantime, make use of the continued cool, dry conditions through Monday. The next storm system arrives on Tuesday and will lead off a series of storms that will continue all the way through Christmas weekend. `Travel will be difficult at times through the period.
Overnight: Patchy low clouds around the bay and into valleys, perhaps more common on south-facing slopes of the coastal ranges as southerly flow begins to strengthen. Some drizzle will be possible in these low clouds. Elsewhere, expect mostly clear, chilly conditions once again. Lows will be in the upper 30s to low 40s on the coast and upper 20s to 30s inland.
Monday: A mix of high and low clouds, especially near the coast. Expect highs mainly in the 50s. Southerly winds could get gusty at times on the exposed coast and in funneled valleys.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with light to moderate rain on the coast late in the day with some light rain making it inland after dark. Slightly warmer with southerly winds coming in. Highs in the 50s to low 60s.
Extended: Several weather systems are lined up behind the one on Tuesday and they will continue to bring periods of rain and breezy conditions through the end of the week and really, through the weekend. There will be breaks as well, but timing is difficult as we’re still a bit far out. The good news is that at the moment, none of the individual storms look all that strong. With that said, there may be cumulative effects. Snow levels will also start to drop this weekend, so we could see more snow in the mountains. Please stay tuned to the forecast if you have travel plans. Snow is expected in the Sierra Nevada throughout the week as well.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 43ºF
HIGH: 61ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 38ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for December 27th – January 2nd calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and near normal precipitation.
- El Niño/La Niña STATUS: La Niña Advisory
- Forecast into Winter: Weak La Niña
-Area drought status: “Extreme Drought” for the entire viewing area with the far southeastern corner of Monterey County and far eastern San Benito County considered “Exceptional Drought”
