Light Rain and Wind Wednesday Before a Small Weather Break Thursday
A weak system will move by Wednesday with light to moderate rain mainly focused in the north before we get a break on Thursday. A few more storm systems are lined up heading into the weekend.
AIR QUALITY: Good
**FLOOD WARNING***
… for the Salinas River from around Soledad to Monterey Bay from now until further notice
derate flooding is forecast.
*Salinas River near Spreckels.
*At 26.0 feet, The lower portions of Soledad, Gonzales, Chualar, Spence and Spreckels will have moderate flooding. At least 20,000 acres of farm land in the Salinas Valley are threatened with flooding. Levees along the lower Salinas River could breach. Some primary and many secondary roads along the Salinas River will begin to flood. Highway 68 will become inundated.
At 27.0 feet, The lower portions of Castroville will begin to flood. Foster Road, one mile south of Salinas will flood. Highway 156 near Castroville will begin to flood. Many secondary roads in the Salinas Valley will be flooded and impassable. Large areas of agricultural land in the Salinas Valley will have major flood damage.
- At 4:00 PM PST Wednesday the stage was 20.1 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage this evening and continue rising to 26.0 feet by Friday afternoon.
- Flood stage is 23.0 feet.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 25.8 feet on 02/26/1969.
Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas.
Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.
The next statement will be issued late tonight at 500 AM PST.
Overnight: A few lingering light showers possible early in the evening. Expect drier and calmer conditions overnight, with partly cloudy conditions. Fog likely in valley locations by morning. Lows mainly in the upper 40s to low 50s. Breezy.
Thursday: Partly cloudy and warmer. Windy at times. Highs in the 50s-60s.
**HIGH SURF ADVISORY**
… for the immediate coast of Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties in effect Thursday 1pm to Saturday 10am..
*Large breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet and dangerous rip currents.
*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.
Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
Extended: Rain chances return late Friday as several systems arrive in the area. None look all that extreme, but moderate rain looks likely with it being brieflya heavy on Saturday. Rain chances continue through at least Tuesday.
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This week's normal temperatures:
--COASTAL CITIES--
LOW: 43ºF
HIGH: 61ºF
--INLAND CITIES--
LOW: 38ºF
HIGH: 61ºF
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-The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for January 17th – 23rd 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: Extreme drought (D3) for southern San Benito and southeastern Monterey Counties, Severe drought (D2) for the Salinas Valley to the bay and northern San Benito County, Moderate drought (D1) for Santa Cruz County and the coast and coastal mountains of Monterey County
