Sun & Spring Winds

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) – Inland temperatures peak on Wednesday—it will be warmer on the coast too—as the axis of the high pressure ridge passes by. Winds will ease slightly but will still kick up in the afternoon. Temps will then cool Thursday-Friday as a weak trough develops on the West Coast.  

Air Quality: Good to Moderate  
 
***GALE WARNING*** 
...for the near coastal waters from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos (outside of Monterey Bay) in effect until 3AM Wednesday and from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas in effect until 9AM Wednesday.  
 
*Northwest winds 15 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas of 8-10ft 
 
*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 hazardous conditions.      

Overnight: A few low clouds/patchy fog possible mainly on the south side of the bay. Otherwise mostly clear. Lows in the 40s. Breezy in the valleys.    

Wednesday: A few morning low clouds then mostly sunny with a few passing high clouds. Warmer, with coastal highs in the low 60s to mid-70s—warmest on the north side of the bay—and low 80s to mid-90s inland. Northwesterly onshore winds becoming windy on the exposed coast and up valleys late in the day. 
 
Thursday: A few more low clouds in the morning, then mostly sunny for the rest of the day. Slightly cooler, with coastal highs in the low 60s to low 70s—warmest on the north side of the bay—and mid-70s to around 90ºF inland. Northwesterly onshore flow becoming windy on the coast and up valleys late in the day.  

Extended: Cooler yet on Friday with a trough over the West Coast. Highs will actually dip below normal and low clouds may be a little more present on the coast. A short ridge builds in for Saturday/Sunday which should warm us back up a bit before the next trough digs in. Some models are cutting off a low over Central California Monday into Tuesday which could result in some precipitation. We’ll have to keep an eye on it.   

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This week's normal temperatures: 
--COASTAL CITIES-- 
LOW: 50ºF 
HIGH: 66ºF 
--INLAND CITIES-- 
LOW: 47ºF 
HIGH: 76ºF 
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for May 28^th – June 3^rd calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and BELOW normal precipitation. 
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: Neutral 
- ENSO Forecast: Neutral conditions persist through summer & possibly into next winter.  
-Area drought status: Abnormally dry for portions of southern San Benito and southeastern Monterey Counties. Drought-free for the remainder of the KION coverage area.   
-Monterey Bay Sea Surface Temperature as of May 21^st: 55.2ºF (avg. of 7 buoys) [Historic May Avg. SST: 55.8ºF]