Strong Storm System Knocking on the Central Coast’s Door
A potent storm system will take aim on the Central Coast Friday and Saturday. Rain chances and southerly winds will increase through the morning and into the afternoon. The strongest winds are expected mid-afternoon ahead and along the cold front. Incidences of wind damage will be possible especially on the exposed coast and in the coastal mountains. While widespread damage is *not* expected, scattered reports of power outages and blocked roadways seem probable. The actual front will likely arrive late afternoon/early evening. Rainfall rates will increase as the front approaches and may be heavy with passage. Embedded thunderstorms may further enhance rainfall during the front, along with adding the threat of lightning, stronger winds, and potentially even waterspouts. Wind & rain will ease briefly with frontal passage in the early evening, but with the low diving down the coast, rounds of showers and thunderstorms will begin to move in off the sea overnight and throughout the day on Saturday. Additional bouts of gusty winds and heavy rain will be possible during that time period along with the added thunderstorm threat. Most activity will then end with sunset on Saturday save for a few light showers. We’ll see showers and perhaps an isolated thundershower develop mainly over the higher terrain Easter Sunday afternoon, but the morning should be pretty quiet.
AIR QUALITY: Good
Friday: Mostly cloudy with rain and southerly winds increasing throughout the day and peaking with frontal passage in the late afternoon/early evening. Heavy rain with street flooding, briefly damaging winds and associated outages, and thunderstorms possible. Highs in the 50s to around 60ºF.
***GALE WARNING***
… for all near coastal waters in effect now until 9PM Friday (and for the bay starting at 3PM -3AM Saturday)
*South-southeast winds 15 to 35 kt with gusts up to 40-45 kt and seas 8 to 11 ft expected. For the Monterey Bay, southeast winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 40 kt expected.
*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.
***HIGH WIND WARNING***
… for the Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, in effect Friday from 11am – 9pm.
*South winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected.
* WHERE...Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest.
*Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.
**WIND ADVISORY**
…for all of the KION Coverage area except the Santa Clara Valley in effect from 11AM Friday until 5AM Saturday
*Southeast winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected.
*Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects
Overnight: Showers with a chance of thunderstorms, mostly cloudy. Lows mainly in the 40s, sheltered valleys and peaks in the 30s. Southerly winds will remain gusty.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Brief heavy rain and gusty winds possible. Small hail & lightning also possible. Gusty southerly winds likely regardless of storms. Highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. Snow showers possible above 4,000ft.
Extended: Easter Sunday morning should be fairly quiet with partly cloudy skies, patchy fog, and an isolated shower possible. Showers will redevelop over the higher terrain with the heating of the day and it’s possible there may be an isolated rumble of thunder. Showers may occasionally drift over valleys or even toward the coast. Conditions clear rapidly on Monday as high pressure builds in from the west. Temps jump back to normal Monday and then above for Tuessday/Wednesday. I’m watching another cold weather system potentially arriving late next week.
*Note: Any alerts from the National Weather Service in Monterey will be noted in italics above. Alerts may be edited for brevity or local clarification (in parenthesis).
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 46ºF
HIGH: 63ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 41ºF
HIGH: 68ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for April 5th – 11th calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: El Niño Advisory, La Niña Watch
- ENSO Forecast: Transition from El Niño to neutral by Spring and then to La Niña by summer.
-Area drought status: Currently drought-free
