Wind & Coastal Flood Alerts
A cold front will blast in from the north Sunday with gusty winds and reinforcing cool temperatures. We'll then slowly warm up through mid-week with highs reaching back above normal. Rain may hold of for another week or two.
AIR QUALITY: Good to Moderate
**COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY**
… for the immediate coast, sloughs, and lagoons of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties until 3PM Monday.
King Tides will cause minor coastal flooding for low lying areas through Monday the 23rd.
The highest astronomical tides of the year, commonly referred to as the King Tides, continue to impact the coast through the 23rd and have historically resulted in the localized flooding of specific low lying areas each year. In addition, the lowest low tides of the event will be observed during the early evening hours which may lead to trouble for mariners navigating shallow waterways.
*Minor coastal flooding expected at prone low lying coastal locations across the coast and the San Francisco Bay shoreline during peak high tide from Thursday morning until Monday afternoon.
*Flooding of areas previously impacted by King Tide events is expected, including low lying lots, parks, and roads along the coast and around the San Francisco Bay Shoreline with the highest high tides. Difficulty navigating shallow bay waters during the lowest low tides.
*Tidal levels will also rise along the Pacific coast but impacts will be more localized to areas such as Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing. Tide poolers and beachgoers should be familiar with the times and heights of local tidal levels to avoid hazards that may arise from rapidly shifting water levels.
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone
property.
Tide poolers should also be aware that there could be occasional waves running farther up the beach than normal. Do not turn your back to the ocean.
*BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT*
…in effect through Sunday afternoon for the entire Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast.
* Increased risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents along the coast, especially for northwest facing beaches.
* Flooding of areas previously impacted by King Tide events is expected, including low lying lots, parks, and roads along the coast with the highest high tides. King Tides in combination with a long period northwest swell arriving Friday evening will create risk for sneaker waves as well as further runup of water near the coast and on beaches.
* Tidal levels will rise along the Pacific coast but impacts will be more localized to areas such as Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing and the mouth of the Salinas river at the Salinas Lagoon. Beachgoers should be familiar with times and heights of local tidal levels and also use caution as sneaker wave risk is enhanced due to incoming long period swell. Sneaker waves in addition to King Tides could create additional runup of water and can easily move logs, making for hazardous conditions.
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.
Tide poolers and beachgoers should also be aware that there could be occasional waves running farther up the beach than normal. Do not turn your back to the ocean. Don't be fooled by an ocean that looks calm. Avoid rocks and jetties. Avoid steep beaches. Stay much farther back from the water and never turn your back on the ocean.
***GALE WARNING***
… for the near coastal waters from Pigeon Point to Point Piedras Blancas *including* Monterey Bay until 3AM Monday.
*Northwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 8 to 11 ft expected.
*Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions.
**WIND ADVISORY**
… for the entire KION coverage area in effect from 1PM Sunday until 7AM Monday.
*North to northeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. For higher elevations and gaps/passes, winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts 50 to 60 mph expected.
*Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Given the recent rains and saturated soils trees will have a higher likelihood of being blown down.
Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.
Sunday: A few morning clouds, then sunny. Gusty northerly winds, especially over the hills. Highs in the 50s.
Overnight: Mostly clear. Breezy at times. Lows in the 30s-40s on the coast with mainly 30s to upper 20s inland.
Monday: Breezy early, then calming down. Mostly sunny. Highs in the 50s.
Extended: Morning lows will be cold early in the week, but both highs and lows will slowly warm as we head through mid-week.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 43ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 38ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for January 29th – February 4th calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.
- El Niño/La Niña STATUS: La Niña Advisory
- Forecast: Weak La Niña continues through winter, becomes neutral by Spring
-Area drought status: Severe drought (D2) for southern San Benito and southeastern Monterey Counties, moderate drought (D1) for the remainder of those counties, Santa Cruz County and the KION coverage area in Santa Clara County.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 43ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 38ºF
HIGH: 62ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for January 26th – February 1st calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and BELOW normal precipitation.
- El Niño/La Niña STATUS: La Niña Advisory
- Forecast: Weak La Niña continues through winter, becomes neutral by Spring
-Area drought status: Severe drought (D2) for southern San Benito and southeastern Monterey Counties, moderate drought (D1) for the remainder of those counties, Santa Cruz County and the KION coverage area in Santa Clara County.
