Light rain, on and off into Saturday

While talk of an approaching atmospheric river stole the headlines at the close of last week, the low pressure system that carried that news has now significantly weakened.

Sarah McCorkle, meteorologist with the National Weather Service of Monterey, said folks on the Central Coast will likely see on again/off again rain Friday, the remnants of thunderstorms that wandered in off the Pacific. She said the rain is being ushered in by an offshore low pressure system that has been developing for days off the west coast. 

“The rain has a chance of lingering into Saturday but by Sunday a drier pattern will start to set up,” McCorkle said.

Seasonal temperatures are expected through the end of the week with highs in the low 70s to upper 60s. 

Overnight lows will be in the upper 40s and low 50s.

Meteorologist Roger Gass said that though it is early in the rainy season, Watsonville Municipal Airport is reporting about 0.61 inches of rain thus far, which translates to 42% of normal. 

Watsonville Police, meanwhile, took to social media with wet weather driving safety tips:

• Slow down, the roads are slick

• Your headlights must be on if your windshield wipers are on

• Allow enough room between vehicles while driving

• Always wear your seatbelt.