Another Round Of High Surf

We’ll break to showers overnight in the wake of a cold front that moved through Friday evening. Swells will also build overnight with high surf and coastal flooding issues. In the wake of the front, showers and a few thunderstorms will be possible into Saturday afternoon. Then, a trailing system will move into southern California, but may throw a few light showers our way on Sunday. Drier conditions are then expected on Monday as we ring in the New Year.

AIR QUALITY: GOOD

From the National Weather Service in Monterey…
***HIGH SURF WARNING***
…for the immediate coastline of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties in effect until 2PM Saturday.

*Dangerously large breaking waves of 28 to 33 ft with isolated waves up to 40 ft.

*Breaking waves can sweep people off jetties and docks, and into dangerous seas. Life-threatening swimming conditions and significant beach erosion can be expected.

Everyone should remain out of the water due to life-threatening surf conditions. Stay off of jetties, piers, and other waterside infrastructure.

***COASTAL FLOOD WARNING***
…for the immediate coastline of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties in effect until 2PM Saturday.

-Significant coastal flooding expected

*Numerous roads may be closed. Low lying property including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure will be inundated. Some shoreline erosion will occur.

Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.

Overnight: Steady rain tapering off from west to east, then followed by rounds of showers with the possibility of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s to low 50s.

Saturday: Partly to mostly cloudy with rounds of showers & possible thunderstorms early in the day, winding down by late afternoon. Cooler with blustery northwesterly winds at times. Highs mainly in the 50s to around 60ºF.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with an isolated shower or two possible, especially south of Monterey Bay. Cool, with highs in the 50s.

Extended: Dry conditions are expected Monday and probably Tuesday before the next system arrives on Wednesday. It will have light to moderate rain and probably some wind as well. Another system may follow as soon as Friday. All the while, expect seasonable to slightly cool high temperatures.

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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 42ºF
HIGH: 59ºF

--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 37ºF
HIGH: 60ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for January 6^th – 12^th calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.

- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: El Niño Advisory
- ENSO Forecast: Strong to Very Strong El Niño expected this winter.
-Area drought status: Currently drought-free