The National Weather Service will extend its beach hazards statement through Saturday afternoon, the agency told Lookout on Monday, following a weekend full of water rescues due to rough ocean conditions.
Weather
Posted inLatest News
Hurricane Fausto pushing dangerous conditions this weekend to Pacific Coast, including rip currents and sneaker waves
A beach hazards statement will be in effect from Saturday morning through Tuesday afternoon for beaches along the Pacific Coast, including Santa Cruz County, warning that Hurricane Fausto could generate dangerous ocean conditions that could sweep people off their feet and pull them into the water.
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About 1,600 out of power in Santa Cruz County after strong winds; no public safety shutoffs planned locally
More than 1,600 Santa Cruz County residents were out of power on Monday afternoon due to strong winds that brought down tree branches and affected power lines in rural parts of the county. There were more than 3,000 without power earlier on Monday. Pacific Gas & Electric also implemented some public safety power shutoffs throughout the state, but is not currently planning any for Santa Cruz County.
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Did Santa Cruz have record-breaking heat last month? NWS meteorologists can’t say after 130-year-old weather station stopped running in 2022
National Weather Service meteorologists say they cannot determine whether Santa Cruz set heat records during last month’s extreme temperatures because a 130-year-old volunteer-run climate station — the only site meeting strict long-term data standards — stopped operating in 2022, leaving a gap in the official record despite widespread unofficial measurements from other local sensors.
Posted inFood & Drink
Santa Cruz County strawberries weathered heat wave, with potential upside for vineyards
A record March heat wave caused only minor damage to early strawberry crops in Santa Cruz County, with most fruit and other produce left largely unharmed thanks to proactive irrigation. The warm temperatures could even benefit local wine grapes by accelerating early growth and improving conditions for a strong harvest later in the season.
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Vehicle gets stuck in rising floodwaters amid this week’s rainfall
The Santa Cruz fire and police departments rescued a man from his car early Thursday morning on Brookwood Drive near Dominican Hospital after it was caught in water overflowing from Arana Creek.
Posted inLatest News
Cold weather advisory issued for Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County is falling under a cold weather advisory, which means that temperatures could drop as low as 34 degrees. Forecasters predicted a low of 42 degrees in the city of Santa Cruz on Thursday night.
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More than 6,000 without power Tuesday afternoon as rain, wind and thunder hit county; possibility of light snowfall in mountains
More than 6,300 Santa Cruz County residents were out of power early Tuesday afternoon as consistent rain fell for the third day in a row, accompanied by high winds and thunder. The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory and a coastal flood advisory, which are set to expire at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz County in for a week of rain following Valentine’s Day
Rain is expected to roll into Santa Cruz County on Saturday night and linger into the following Friday, with the majority of the rainfall coming between Saturday night and Wednesday morning. National Weather Service meteorologists do not anticipate having to issue any flood advisories or watches.
Posted inLatest News
Ask Lookout: What prompts a tornado warning, and do we have a ‘tornado season’?
Two tornado warnings over the past two weeks likely surprised many Santa Cruz County residents. No tornadoes touched down in the county this year, but one did in Scotts Valley at the end of 2024. So what prompts a tornado warning from the National Weather Service? And when, if ever, is tornado season locally?
