MONTEREY – Unsettled weather will return to the Gulf and Central Coast areas this weekend, bringing wind, cool conditions and intermittent rains, according to the National Weather Service.

Much of the region will see spray starting Sunday morning and afternoon, with San Jose, Auckland and inland East Bay waiting for a few hundredths of an inch.

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Brooke Bingaman, the bulk of the rainfall will fall on northern areas such as Sonoma County, which can reach tenths of an inch.

“It’s not much, but it’s enough that when you celebrate Mother’s Day outdoors, you can make sure Mom has an umbrella and a warm sweater,” Bingaman said.

The rainy season, which began on October 1, did not help much state-wide drought conditions. For example, in San Jose, only 57% of precipitation falls during the normal rainy season.

But lower temperatures and less moisture can ease the conditions of forest fires, which seems to arrive earlier each year.

By the time the rain stops on Monday, isolated thunderstorms may also begin in the region. It is difficult for meteorologists to predict where and when a thunderstorm may occur, but “everyone should be alert,” Bingaman said.

“If in the distance you start hearing the roar of thunder, it’s a sure sign that you need to hide” from possible lightning nearby, she added. “Thunderstorms are usually gathering on themselves – they are very high.”

The temperature during the day before the beginning of next week will be 10-15 degrees below average, at night and in the morning is expected to be 5-10 degrees.

Daytime temperatures will peak from mid to above 50 degrees on the coast and below 60 degrees inland, while nighttime temperatures will drop to 40 degrees near the coast and the Gulf Coastline and from mid to above 30 degrees inland, reports weather service. The heat should start on Wednesday.

The forecast also predicts strong winds with gusts of 25 to 45 miles per hour throughout the weekend and early next week. Conditions can make driving and boating dangerous.