Mid-Week Warm-Up

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) - Temperatures head upward into Wednesday as a strong ridge of high pressure surges in from the south. It will compress the marine layer and push inland temperatures into the 80s-90s and even 100s for some southern valleys. Coastal areas will warm slightly with the lighter onshore winds, but a few low clouds may linger unlike previous days. A compressionally stable marine layer with slightly higher moisture content will help keep a few clouds around. If you don’t like the heat, though, wait a day! The ridge will retreat and troughing will quickly develop on the West Coast, sending temperatures back down. The deepening marine layer will also support increased clouds and perhaps some drizzle Thursday and Friday.  
  
Air Quality: Good 

***GALE WARNING***   
…for the near coastal waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas extended until 3AM Thursday.  
  
*Northwest winds 15 to 25 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 hazardous conditions.   

Overnight: Low clouds with patchy fog will slowly fill back in on the coast and in the bay, perhaps sneaking into some nearby low elevation valleys. Otherwise, clear. Lows, seasonable, with upper 40s to low 50s on the coast and inland valleys, upper 50s to 60s up in the hills.  
  
Wednesday: A few low clouds may linger on the coast, otherwise sunny. Warmer, with coastal highs in the mid-60s to around 80ºF—warmest on the north side of the bay—and upper 70s to around 103ºF inland. Breezy on the coast, then windy up valleys late in the day.  Low clouds increase late. 
 
Thursday: Low clouds thicken into Thursday morning with patchy drizzle possible. Then, some linger on the coast throughout the day. Cooler, with coastal highs in the 60s to low 70s—warmest on the north side of the bay—and mainly 70s-80s inland. Gusty northwesterly onshore and up valley winds at times.  
 
Extended: Troughing will deepen on the West Coast as we approach the weekend. Temps will continue to cool on Friday. Clouds will increase; drizzle will be possible. Cooling will continue inland into Friday/Saturday with highs below normal, though the deepening marine layer may mix out along with drier northwesterly winds bringing warmer coastal temps.   
  
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This week's normal temperatures:   
--COASTAL CITIES--    
LOW: 52ºF        
HIGH: 68ºF   
--INLAND CITIES--         
LOW: 50ºF         
HIGH: 82ºF    
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The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for June 25^th – July 1^st calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and near normal precipitation, though little to no precipitation usually falls this time of year.   
- 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 June 18^th : 56.6ºF (avg. of 7 buoys) [Historic June Avg. SST: 56.7ºF]