Heading into the End of the Week Cool, Cloudy, & Moist
Ending the work week seasonably cool, cloudy, and damp. The trough of low pressure that has been sitting to our west has finally moved east. The trough has kept temperatures below normal and the marine layer deep. The moist onshore flow will continue to bring bouts of drizzle to the coast and coastal mountains. Thanks to a wind shift, west-northwest winds, clouds will now favor the southern and eastern portions of the Monterey Bay, near coastal cites, and perhaps even the northern part of the Salinas Valley, along with the chance of drizzle. While inland mountains could see an isolated shower or two come Thursday afternoon. A weak cold front will bring the Central Coast the chance of heavier drizzle and a few more light isolated showers late Thursday into early Friday. Meanwhile, northwest winds will become gusty Thursday afternoon, with stronger gusts expected Friday. The sun will eventually break through with a sunny weekend ahead! Check out the extended forecast below.
AIR QUALITY: Good
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with some clearing in the afternoon with clouds favoring the south side of the bay and clearing on the north. Northwest winds will become gusty into the afternoon. Otherwise, expect partly cloudy skies with a few sprinkles possible in the mountains. Coastal highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s with 60s to around 70ºF inland.
***GALE WARNING***
… for the Coastal Waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas California out to 10 nm, from 3pm to 9pm Thursday.
*Northwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt expected.
*Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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
Overnight: Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy. Cooler lows in the mid to upper 40s inland, upper 40s to low 50s at the coast. Chance of heavy drizzle/ isolated showers into sunrise. Northwest winds will ease overnight but still breezy, gusty at times.
Friday: Morning clouds and possible drizzle with more sunshine breaking through in the afternoon. Still a chance of a shower or two. Northwest winds will turn gusty. Highs will still be on the cool side mainly in the low to mid 60s.
Extended: Sunny skies for the weekend. Gusty northwest winds will continue through the weekend and into early next week, though temperatures will warm back to normal from Saturday on and conditions should remain dry.
*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: 47ºF
HIGH: 64ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 42ºF
HIGH: 71ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for May 2nd - 8th 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
