Sunshine on my Shoulders Makes me Happy
Cold, dry air will continue to move in from the north, keeping temperatures below normal into part of the weekend. This air mass will result in colder and frosty mornings, especially inland. Highs will slowly creep close to seasonal normal by the end of the weekend, into early next week.
AIR QUALITY: Good
**COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY**
… for the immediate coast, sloughs, and lagoons of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties from 6AM Thursday until 3PM Monday.
King Tides will cause minor coastal flooding for low lying areas through Sunday afternoon.
The highest astronomical tides of the year, commonly referred to as the King Tides, continue to impact the coast and Bay shoreline from January 19th 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 from Friday evening 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.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
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.
Saturday: Chilly start to the day, with areas of frost. Clear and sunny, temperatures still slightly below seasonable. Afternoon highs mainly in the 50s, with a few 60s, across the Central Coast.
Overnight: Clear and cold, with lows in the 20s and low 30s for interior locations, 30s at the coast. Frost likely inland, patchy near coastal cities.
Extended: Long-term models are looking dry through next week. Watching a few more rain chances towards the end of the month into the first week of February.
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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 27th – February 2nd 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.
