Potent Storm System
A potent winter storm will plow through the Monterey Bay Area early Saturday morning. Potentially damaging winds can be expected along exposed coastal areas and in the coastal mountains. Power outages, blocked roadways, and property damage possible. Winds will be accompanied by moderate to briefly heavy rain around dawn with wind and rain slowly lessening from northwest to southeast through late morning and into the afternoon. In addition, another set of higher swells will arrive early Saturday, coinciding with high king tides and minor storm surge.
AIR QUALITY: Good to Moderate
**HIGH SURF ADVISORY**
…for the north & west-facing beaches of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties in effect until 7PM Saturday
*Large breaking waves of 18 to 22 feet expected.
*Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion.
Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
*FLOOD WATCH*
…for flood-prone areas around Carmel River Lagoon in Monterey County in effect through late Saturday night
*A combination of abnormally high tide, elevated surf, and excessive rainfall may result in flooding at Carmel River Lagoon.
*Flood-prone areas around Carmel River Lagoon including River Park Place, locations south of 15th Avenue and Mission Ranch.
*Excessive runoff may result in flooding of low-lying and flood-prone locations around the Carmel River Lagoon. Flooding may occur at the Carmel River State Beach parking lot and potentially adjacent neighborhoods south of 15th Avenue.
- Forecast excessive rainfall runoff with high tides and large surf may result in the rise of the Carmel River at the Carmel River Lagoon.
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Rest of Saturday: Gusty westerly winds and showers slowly taper off into the afternoon. Temperatures in the 50s for most areas, 40s up in the hills.
**FROST ADVISORY**
…for the higher elevations and southern valleys of Monterey & San Benito Counties and the Diablos in Santa Clara County in effect from 12AM Sunday until 9AM Sunday
*Temperatures as low as 31 will result in frost formation.
*Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. Cold conditions will be hazardous to sensitive populations such as unhoused individuals. Cold conditions can lead to hypothermia with
prolonged exposure.
*Sub-freezing temperatures will be possible in the highest elevations across the warned area.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
Be sure to cover or tend to sensitive plants and vegetation as they may be damaged by frost.
Sunday: AM valley fog inland, then mostly sunny with a few high clouds passing through. Seasonable with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. Light winds.
Extended: The next weather system arrives on Monday with light to moderate rain and breezy conditions from late morning into the early afternoon—showers then taper off late. High pressure builds in with above normal temperatures for most of next week. The next chance of rain arrives somewhere around the 21st.
*Note: Any alerts from the National Weather Service in Monterey will be noted in italics above. Alerts may be edited for brevity or local clarification
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 42ºF
HIGH: 60ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 37ºF
HIGH: 60ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for December 21st – 27th calls for the likelihood of ABOVE normal temperatures and near normal precipitation.
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: La Niña Watch
- ENSO Forecast: Transition to La Niña into the fall and persist through the winter months.
- Area drought status: Abnormally dry for areas around Monterey Bay northward. Drought-free elsewhere
- Monterey Bay Sea Surface Temperature as of December 12th : 54.3ºF (avg of 7 buoys) [December Average: 55.0ºF]
