Nice Weather, Hazardous Beaches
Air Quality Report (As of 7:30am)
Good to moderate for all reporting areas.
High pressure will continue to dominate the weather over the West for the next week. Weak weather systems will slide by to our north or approach from the west and fall apart, but no major impacts are expected. We will see some minor impacts, however. The first system will drape a dying cold front over our area by Monday night. Winds ahead of the front have already switched back onshore which led to a cool down Sunday afternoon. Those light onshore winds will continue to keep coastal areas a bit cooler Monday and then strengthen with frontal passage late Monday night. Temperatures will cool further behind the front Tuesday, then head back upward Wednesday/Thursday. Another weather system will approach from the west by Thursday which will bring a few clouds back. No rain is in the forecast for the next week or two, however.
From the National Weather Service in Monterey:
*Beach Hazards Statement*
For the immediate coast of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties from 10AM Monday through 10AM Tuesday.
Sneaker waves and strong rip currents for west and northwest facing beaches from coastal Sonoma County to coastal Monterey County Monday into Tuesday. A long period northwest swell will arrive late Monday morning and impact the coastline through late Tuesday morning before subsiding. Initial swell heights of 7 to 9 feet at 19 seconds will increase the risk of sneaker waves Monday. Swell heights will build to 9 to 11 feet at 17 seconds to 18 seconds Monday night and early Tuesday morning before subsiding late Tuesday morning.
In particular danger are west to northwest facing beaches.
Impacts: Increased risk of ocean drowning. Sneaker waves often catch people off guard and knock them into the ocean. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore. Use extreme caution near the surf zone as large waves will be capable of sweeping people into the frigid and turbulent ocean water. Cold water shock may cause cardiac arrest, and it also can cause an involuntary gasp reflex causing drowning, even for a good swimmer.
A Beach Hazard Statement for sneaker waves means that conditions are present to support a heightened risk of unsuspecting beachgoers being swept into the sea by a wave. People walking along the beach should never turn their back to the sea. Fisherman should avoid fishing from rocks or jetties.
A Beach Hazard Statement for rip currents means that conditions are present to support a heightened risk of strong rip currents. Rip currents are typically more frequent and stronger in the vicinity of jetties, inlets, and piers. Swimmers caught in a rip current should swim parallel to the coast to escape the rip current before trying to swim for shore. Swimmers should always
swim near a lifeguard.
Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for the latest updates on this situation.
Monday: Partly cloudy with scattered high clouds passing through and a few low clouds possible near the coast. Expect coastal highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s with 60s to low 70s inland. Becoming breezy over the hills and over the exposed coast later in the day.
Overnight: A few low clouds near the bay with patchy fog possible. Expect coastal lows in the mid-30s to low 40s with mid 20s to mid 30s inland where frost is once again likely.
Tuesday: Patchy low clouds/fog on the coast early, then becoming sunny for all areas. Breezy over the hills at times. Expect coastal highs in the upper 50s to low 60s with mainly 60s to around 70ºF inland.
Extended: Wednesday will feature a slightly cooler morning and a slightly warmer afternoon under sunny skies. Some high clouds possible over the ocean late. Then, a weather system will approach on Thursday with increased clouds, but not much of a temperature change. The weather will remain tranquil through the weekend with slightly cool morning lows and slightly warm afternoon highs with dry conditions and mostly sunny skies.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 43ºF
HIGH: 61ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 36ºF
HIGH: 63ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for December 7th – 13th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and BELOW normal precipitation.
-El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Weak La Niña
-Forecast into Winter: La Niña Advisory
-Area drought status: Moderate drought for much of Santa Cruz & Santa Clara Counties and the far eastern side of San Benito County, Abnormally dry for all other areas.
