Mid Week Heat
WEATHER STORY
Expect above normal highs for the next few days as high pressure dominates to our southwest. Weather systems will ride around the ridge and down across the Great Basin keeping the wind machine going, however. Inland areas will cool a bit into the weekend as a cooler air mass arrives, but the flow will be somewhat offshore which may continue to buoy coastal highs at least through Friday. I expect a return to onshore flow this weekend which will likely bring low clouds back to the coast with cooler temperatures. Coastal winds are also more likely to die down by then.
AIR QUALITY: GOOD
***GALE WARNING***
… for the near coastal waters from Pigeon Point to Point Piedras Blancas (not including Monterey Bay) in effect now until 9AM Thursday.
*Northwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt expected and seas 6 to 11 feet at 17-18 seconds.
*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.
Wednesday: A few low clouds in the morning, then sunny and warmer yet with highs in the 60s to upper 70s on the coast—warmest on the north side of the bay—and mostly 80s-90s inland. Gusty north-northwesterly winds for most areas from the afternoon into the evening.
Overnight: A few coastal clouds will make their way to the Monterey Peninsula, but we'll stay otherwise clear across the region. Low clouds will be pushed away by offshore flow by dawn. Temperatures will stay quite comfortable, bottoming out in the low to mid 50s. Wind speeds will remain elevated over the hills for the duration of the night.
Thursday: Winds pick up in the hills overnight into Thursday morning, ushering a cooler, dryer air mass. This will keep clouds in check. Temperatures will be warm for this time of year with highs in the 60s to upper 70s on the coast—warmest on the north side of the bay—and mostly 80s-90s inland. Winds will again pick up in the afternoon for lower elevation locations.
Extended: We’ll see some cooling on Friday but highs will remain seasonable to slightly warm. Further cooling then expected into the weekend with the return of low clouds to the coast. Coastal winds will ease, but we’ll likely hold on to windy conditions for the valleys.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 50ºF
HIGH: 67ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 47ºF
HIGH: 76ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for May 25th – 31st calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and BELOW normal precipitation.
- El Niño/La Niña STATUS: La Niña Advisory
- Forecast: Weak La Niña into the Fall
-Area drought status: “Severe Drought” for most of the viewing area with the far eastern fringes of Santa Benito and southeastern corner of Monterey County in “Extreme Drought.”
