A Nice New Year, If You Stay Out Of The Water
Expect dry weather through the end of the week, as high pressure strengthens along our coast. Several weak systems will pass by to the north but will only add some occasional clouds.
**High Surf Advisory**
… extended until 9PM Thursday…
… for the immediate coast of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties.
A long period northwest swell will bring an increased threat of rip currents, large and dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone, and increased wave run-up on beaches with waves topping and washing over large rocks and jetties through Thursday morning.
Expect swell heights of 11 to 14 feet at 20 to 22 seconds. This will generate breaking waves of 20 to 25 feet—favored locations may exceed 25 feet.
Large breaking waves will generate hazardous conditions on area beaches. This threat will be maximized on steeply sloped beaches. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore.
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.
Overnight: Mostly cloudy with patchy fog to start. Some clearing by dawn, but fog may remain settled into the valley bottoms. Lows in the 40s for most areas with some 30s in southern Monterey County.
Thursday: Mostly sunny and a bit breezy at times. Mild, with highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s.
Friday: Chilly and clear in the morning, then mostly sunny and warmer in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s.
Extended: A weather system will slide by to our north early Saturday and will likely bring an increase in clouds. There is a very small chance of drizzle in the Santa Cruz Mountains, otherwise the next week looks dry across the board. Even warmer highs (60s to around 70ºF) early next week, though Monday and Tuesday mornings will be chilly.
The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for January 9th – 15th calls for the likelihood of BELOW normal temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.
El Niño/La Niña STATUS: Neutral
(Winter) Forecast: Neutral
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 42ºF
HIGH: 60ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 35ºF
HIGH: 61ºF
