Warmer Days, Beach Hazards
High pressure will be the dominant influence of our weather for the next several days. The weather will remain warm and dry as all weather systems are pushed to the north. One system will almost sneak in Friday night into Saturday but will only likely result in increased clouds. The first to break through will be late Saturday into Sunday, but still won’t have much impact—only drizzle to light rain expected. Another system next week may bring additional light rainfall.
*Beach Hazards*
… for the immediate coastline of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties from 3AM Friday through 9PM Friday.
A relatively large, long period WNW swell train will begin to move into the waters later today. The longer period forerunner waves of 18 to 23 seconds in the range of 3 to 7 feet will lead to an increased risk of sneaker waves and rip currents along the Pacific coastline primarily from late tonight through Friday.
Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Sneaker waves can knock unsuspecting beach goers over and into the sea.
Remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.
If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave
for help.
Friday: Patchy to dense fog to start the day. Passing high clouds at the time with some low coastal clouds late. Expect highs in the 60s for most areas outside of the higher elevations.
Overnight: Low clouds will fill the bay with patchy to dense fog possible. Expect coastal lows in the low to mid 40s with mid 30s to low 40s inland.
Saturday: Partly cloudy with increasing clouds late and drizzle likely along the coast. Just a touch cooler with highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s.
Extended: Light rain likely early Sunday, then clearing expected. Temps will be cooler with upper 50s to low 60s. Warmer highs return by Monday with most areas back in the 60s—and they’ll stay there for most of next week. Another system on Tuesday may bring additional light rainfall.
The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for January 31st – February 6th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and BELOW normal precipitation.
El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Neutral
(Winter) Forecast: Neutral
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 43ºF
HIGH: 60ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 36ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
