Rain In Forecast For Thanksgiving Holiday: Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — After rain fell in parts of Santa Cruz County late yesterday and overnight, dry conditions and seasonable temperatures are forecast Thursday through the upcoming weekend, but a chance of wet weather returns next week, possibly impacting the Thanksgiving holiday, the National Weather Service said Wednesday.

"Well that was an exciting afternoon and evening. After a prolonged period of no rain, when rain finally does fall it makes things interesting," the NWS said in its weather discussion Wednesday morning after lightning was reported in the Santa Cruz County mountains overnight.

As the rain cleared out, however, a gusty offshore flow and dry conditions moved in Wednesday, keeping critical fire weather conditions in place across Northern California.

Winds will ultimately diminish through the day on Thursday, but humidity levels will remain low, the NWS said. Clouds and cooler temperatures will impact the coast on Thursday, but a ridge of high pressure will begin to nose over the region late Friday and over the weekend keeping dry weather in place with a slight warming trend. Despite warmer daytime temperatures nights will
remain cold in the valleys with lighter winds and clear skies, according to the NWS.

"The middle and second half of next week continue to be rather interesting as long range models show an active weather pattern," the NWS said in it weather discussion. "Stay tuned as wet
weather may impact Thanksgiving."