Long-period swells, high tides and an incoming storm system could mean an eventful weather week around Santa Cruz County.
The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement through early Tuesday morning, warning of rip currents and sneaker waves at Monterey Bay area beaches. That will be replaced by a coastal flood advisory running from 8 a.m. Tuesday to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The agency says minor coastal flooding from spring tides – also known as king tides – could result in up to 1.2 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.
Rain is forecast to arrive in Santa Cruz County overnight Tuesday, bringing with it wind gusts up to 30 mph at higher elevations, and continue through Wednesday. As of Monday afternoon, the NWS was predicting that the Santa Cruz Mountains could see an inch of rain from the storm system, with smaller totals at lower county elevations. There’s also a slight chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday, the agency said.
Another long-period northwesterly/westerly swell is forecast to return to local beaches Thursday, again bringing the risk of sneaker waves and rip currents.
Though the rain will be mostly beneficial, urban and nuisance flooding as well as potential strong wind impacts may occur.
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