National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Atmospheric River Bringing Heavy Rain to Southern California and Heavy Snow to the Sierra Nevadas

A strong atmospheric river will continue heavy rain over southern California through Friday. The heaviest rainfall is ongoing today in the Los Angeles Basin. Flash and urban flooding is possible. A prolonged heavy snowfall has begun over the Sierra Nevada Mountains and will continue through Friday. Travel will become increasingly difficult over the passes due to snow and strong winds. Read More >

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Current conditions at

KE6AFE Santa Cruz (AP803)

Lat: 36.98217°NLon: 122.01533°WElev: 89.0ft.

NA

56°F

13°C

Humidity 83%
Wind Speed N 0 MPH
Barometer 29.78 in (1008.47 mb)
Dewpoint 51°F (11°C)
Visibility NA
Last update 25 Dec 06:40 AM PST
Extended Forecast for

Santa Cruz CA

Flood Watch December 25, 06:58am until December 26, 10:00pm
Flood Advisory December 25, 06:58am until December 25, 07:15am
High Wind Warning December 25, 06:58am until December 25, 10:00am
Click here for hazard details and duration
Flood Watch
...
...
  •  
    Flood Watch December 25, 06:58am until December 26, 10:00pm
    Flood Advisory December 25, 06:58am until December 25, 07:15am
    High Wind Warning December 25, 06:58am until December 25, 10:00am

    NOW: Multiple hazards in effect

    Click HERE for Details

  • Christmas Day

    High: 57 °F

    Severe
    Thunderstorms
    and Windy

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then rain after 10pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 48. Breezy, with a southwest wind 17 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

    Low: 48 °F

    Severe
    Thunderstorms
    and Breezy
    then Rain

  • Friday

    Friday: Rain. High near 56. South wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

    High: 56 °F

    Rain

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

    Low: 45 °F

    Rain Likely

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

    High: 56 °F

    Chance Rain

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

    Low: 40 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Sunday

    Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 57.

    High: 57 °F

    Sunny

  • Sunday Night

    Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 39.

    Low: 39 °F

    Clear

Detailed Forecast

Christmas Day
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 7am, then rain between 7am and 10am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 10am. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 57. Windy, with a south wind 27 to 32 mph decreasing to 18 to 23 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then rain after 10pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 48. Breezy, with a southwest wind 17 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday
Rain. High near 56. South wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Rain likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday
A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 57.
Sunday Night
Clear, with a low around 39.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 60.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 62.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
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Forecast Area
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ABOUT THIS FORECAST

 
Point Forecast:
Santa Cruz CA
 36.96°N 122.06°W (Elev. 180 ft)
Last Update:
12:27 am PST Dec 25, 2025
Forecast Valid:
6am PST Dec 25, 2025-6pm PST Dec 31, 2025
 
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Additional Resources

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Chance of Precipitation