Rain Returns–Hope You Enjoyed The Sunshine
Here’s a look at your forecast for Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, and southern Santa Clara Counties!
Despite a stretch of sunshine, we remain in an active pattern. Clouds increase Saturday ahead of a weather system which will bring moderate rain and occasionally gusty winds into Sunday. It will be followed by a second, potentially stronger/wetter system Tuesday.
AIR QUALITY: Good
***FLOOD WARNING***
… for the lower Salinas River from Soledad to Monterey Bay in effect from Sunday afternoon until further notice.
- At 8:00 AM PDT Saturday the stage was 24.0 feet.
- Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 8:00 AM PDT Saturday was 25.9 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stage this afternoon and continue falling to 20.8 feet tomorrow morning.
- Flood stage is 23.0 feet.
- Flood History...The crest at 25.9 ft compares to a previous crest of 26.5 feet on 02/26/1969.
*Minor flooding is occurring. The river is receding and will fall below flood stage later this afternoon.
*At 23.0 feet, A few farm residences will begin to flood near the Salinas River along the reach of the gage. River Road will begin to flood near Spreckels.
...At 24.0 feet, Significant flooding of the lowest portions of agricultural land begins within the reach of the gage. River Road and Spreckels Boulevard begin to flood.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas.
Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Saturday: Increasing clouds ahead of a weak weather system which will bring widespread light to moderate rain and breezy conditions. That system will arrive after sunset. Warmer with highs in the 60s-70s.
Sunday: Light to moderate rain will continue overnight into the late morning. Breezy southwest winds. Mostly cloudy throughout the day. Highs cooler, mainly upper 50s to low 60s.
Extended: A stronger system arrives Monday into Tuesday with potentially heavier rain and gusty winds. A cold weather pattern looks to follow for the rest of next week.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 45ºF
HIGH: 64ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 42ºF
HIGH: 68ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for March 24th – 30th calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.
- El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Neutral
- Forecast: Neutral through the summer with eventual development of El Niño
-Area drought status: Abnormally dry for the Santa Cruz Mountains, the lower valleys of San Benito County, and southern Santa Clara County
-Area drought status: NONE for Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito counties, and NONE for the KION coverage area in Santa Clara County.
