Sunny, Dry but Cool
A cold air mass will settle in for the next few days with cool days and cold nights. The forecast becomes more complicated toward the end of the week as a system approaches from the west, but there are factors working against it. At the moment, it’s looking more likely that we will remain dry through the weekend.
AIR QUALITY: Good to Moderate
Overnight: Partly cloudy, lows slightly warmer from the previous morning but only by a few degrees. Mainly in the 30s, a few 40s at the coast, and 20s for sheltered valley locations. Winds light.
***FREEZE WARNING***
… for the mountains and higher valleys of Monterey & San Benito Counties, and the Santa Clara Valley overnight.
-Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 expected. Temperatures in the coldest inland areas will dip into the mid to upper 20's.
-Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
**FROST ADVISORY**
...for coastal Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties and the lower elevation valleys of Monterey & San Benito Counties.
-Temperatures of 35 degrees or colder will result in frost formation. Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered.
Thursday: Another round of widespread frost inland, patchy frost near the coast. A few lingering clouds, then mostly sunny. Highs still below average in the low to mid-50s for most areas.
Extended: Expect mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies for the remainder of the week and into the weekend. Both lows and highs are likely to remain below normal for this time of year. Watching for rain this weekend, but chances are looking slim.
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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 22nd – 28th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and BELOW normal precipitation.
- El Niño/La Niña STATUS: La Niña Advisory
- Forecast: Weak La Niña continues through winter, becomes neutral by Spring
-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”
