Weather alerts through Wednesday
More stormy weather is on the way.
An active weather pattern has commenced with several storm systems bringing moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds through Thursday.
*** HIGH SURF ADVISORY ***
The National Weather Service in Monterey has issued a HIGH SURF ADVISORY for the coastline of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties through 6 p.m. Wednesday.
A moderate, westerly swell 12 to 15 feet with a period of 20-22 seconds will persist through Tuesday evening. The period will decrease on Wednesday to nearly 16 seconds, but the swell will increase to 15-18 feet Wednesday afternoon. Extreme wave run up is expected with these waves, and long lulls in between sets. That increases the risk of being washed into the sea by a wave. Never turn your back to the sea.
A HIGH SURF ADVISORY means high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.
Rest of Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with periods of rain early, then showers becoming more isolated with some clearing late.
Overnight: Increasing clouds and winds. A cold front will pass through in the early morning hours, bringing moderate to briefly heavy rain and gusty winds. An occasional rumble of thunder is possible. Lows in the 40s to low 50s.
*** FLASH FLOOD WATCH ***
The National Weather Service in Monterey has issued a FLASH FLOOD WATCH for Santa Cruz County and portions of Monterey & San Benito Counties from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Following yesterday’s rainfall, which saturated soils in many locations, heavy rainfall Wednesday could create urban flooding, debris flows, and small creek flooding.
The Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Lucia Range may experience localized debris flows and rockfalls from intense periods of rainfall. Other low lying locations both along the coast and inland may experience ponding and flooding from small creeks rising and from intense bursts of rainfall on saturated soils or overwhelmed storm drains.
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH means conditions may develop into flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
*** COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY ***
The National Weather Service in Monterey has issued a COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY for the coastline of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The combination of high tides, large swells, and runoff from heavy rainfall could result in coastal flooding.
A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY indicates that onshore winds and tides will combine to generate flooding of low areas along the shore.
Wednesday: Rain early with gusty winds and then mostly cloudy with widespread showers in the afternoon. An occasional rumble of thunder is possible. Highs in the 50s.
Extended: Mostly cloudy on Thursday with widespread rain showers. An occasional rumble of thunder is possible. Winds will be on the decrease with highs in the 50s. We will get a break on Friday under partly-cloudy skies. A weak system will pass by on Saturday and may send us a few showers, but probability is not high at the moment. The next storm system comes in late Monday bringing more rain to the region. Temperatures will warm back up to seasonable levels ahead of that storm.
