Stormy Weather Returns
Don’t let the nice morning weather fool you, stormy conditions return later in the day!
A potent storm system will approach the west coast paired with a deep tap of tropical moisture. Southerly winds will slowly increase through the afternoon while rain also begins to increase, especially in the coastal mountains. Rain & wind really pick up just before sunset with stormy conditions on and off through dawn. Due to saturated soils, flood risk increases for small streams/creeks and low areas with impacts highest in the coastal mountains. The storm’s center will linger off the coast on Monday and into Tuesday, lobbing rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms our way. Heavy rain rates could cause rapid rises to small streams and flash flooding in burn areas. While widespread wind damage is not expected, isolated tree damage and power outages are likely.
High surf will make beach conditions treacherous through early Tuesday!
AIR QUALITY: Good
***GALE WARNING***
… for the near coastal waters from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos (not including Monterey Bay) extended until 9PM Monday
*Southeast winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 45 kt and seas 15 to 20 ft expected.
…and for the near coastal waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas extended until 9PM Monday
*Southeast winds 20 to 30kt with gusts up to 45kt and seas 14 to 19 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 Central Coast from 10 AM Sunday to 4 AM Tuesday
*South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph expected.
*Impacts...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects; tree limbs could be blown down and isolated power outages.
*The strongest winds will occur along the immediate coast and within higher terrain. Use extra caution when driving. Secure outdoor objects.
**HIGH SURF ADVISORY**
…for the immediate coast of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties extended until 4AM Tuesday.
*Large breaking waves of 18 to 22 feet along exposed, west-facing beaches. Locally higher waves up to 28 feet possible along some favored areas with steep beaches.
*Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties, and beaches. These waves can also move large objects such as logs, crushing anyone caught underneath.
*These waves are caused by a combination of locally strong southerly winds and an incoming westerly swell from more intense storms located well offshore.
Beachgoers should never turn their back to the ocean during high surf. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
*FLOOD WATCH*…remains in effect for the entire KION coverage area of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Santa Clara Counties through Wednesday morning.
*Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.
*Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur
in poor drainage and urban areas.
- Periods of moderate to locally heavy rainfall will bring the potential for minor to moderate local flooding, as well as rapid rises along area rivers, streams, and creeks across the region. Although most main stem river sites are forecast to remain below flood stage, minor flooding in urban areas and along smaller creeks and streams is expected.
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.
Sunday: Cloudy with rain showers. Highs mainly in the low to mid 60s. South winds will be gusty and increasing in the afternoon, gusting as high as 30 mph in many locations and will become even stronger Sunday night. Rain, too, will be heavy at times especially if any thunderstorms develop. Stay weather aware.
https://f7b32e47f624f649047828990d428b93.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html *FLASH FLOOD WATCH*
…for the River Fire Burn Area in effect from 4PM this afternoon through Wednesday morning.
*Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall are possible over the River Fire burn area.
*Heavy rainfall over the River Fire burn area is expected up to and during the period of the watch. Residents near the River Fire burn area should prepare for potential flooding impacts. Be
sure to stay up to date with information from local authorities. Heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding of low-lying areas, urbanized street flooding, and debris flows in and near recent wildfire burn scars.
- National Weather Service Meteorologists are forecasting the potential for heavy rainfall over the River Fire burn area, which may lead to flash flooding and debris flows.
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Extended: Rounds of rain will continue through Monday into Tuesday with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Showers may linger all the way into Wednesday before calmer weather returns with a ridge of high pressure moving in for sunny dry weather next weekend.
*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 (in parenthesis)
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 44ºF
HIGH: 61ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 39ºF
HIGH: 63ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for February 23rd – 29th calls for the likelihood of near normal temperatures and ABOVE normal precipitation.
- ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) STATUS: El Niño Advisory, La Niña Watch
- ENSO Forecast: Transition from El Niño to neutral by Spring and then to La Niña by summer.
-Area drought status: Currently drought-free
