Active Weather Begins Thursday Afternoon

We’ll remain dry, but cool early Thursday before the next system arrives late in the afternoon and evening. This first system will bring light widespread showers before the actual cold front. As the front passes a few areas could get moderate to heavy rain at times. Winds will be south/ southeast transitioning to north/northwest, gusty at times as the front moves through. Friday, things should calm down for a bit before a second more robust system moves in late Friday, early Saturday bringing with it moderate to heavy rain, winds, and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Temperatures remain cool for this time of year.

AIR QUALITY: Good to Moderate

Thursday: Calm start to the day with increasing clouds. Moderate rain and briefly gusty winds are possible with a cold front late in the evening. Highs in the 50s for most areas, 40s up in the hills.

Overnight: Partly cloudy with lingering showers. Lows mostly in the 30s inland, low to mid 40s near the coast. Patchy fog, and frost for far interior valleys.

Friday: Partly sunny with a brief break from the rain. A stronger storm will move in late into Saturday morning. Winds calm. Highs mainly in the 50s.

**GALE WATCH**

… in effect from late Friday night through Saturday afternoon.

-For the coastal waters from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos California out to 10 nm. South winds 25 to 35 kt with gusts up to 45 kt and seas 11 to 13 ft possible.

-For the coastal Waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas California out to 10 nm south winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 8 to 13 ft possible.

…in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon.

-For the Monterey Bay. South winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 7 to 11 ft possible.

Extended: Another system late Friday into Saturday, and then a cold core low on Sunday with showers lingering Sunday-Monday. A chance of thunderstorms is possible throughout the weekend. Below-average temperatures through the weekend.

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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 43ºF
HIGH: 61ºF

--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 37ºF
HIGH: 62ºF

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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for December 15^th – 21^st calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.

- El Niño/La Niña STATUS: La Niña Advisory
- Forecast: Weak La Niña into the Winter

-Area drought status: “Severe Drought” for most of the viewing area with “Extreme Drought” in southern San Benito and southeastern Monterey Counties. The southeastern third of San Benito County has been upgraded to “Exceptional Drought”