Critical Fire Weather in the High Plains and Midwest; Heavy Snow in the Western Mountains and Northern Plains

Gusty winds and low relative humidity will bring critical fire weather to the central/southern High Plains and portions of the Midwest. Two Pacific storms will continue to bring heavy mountain snow and gusty winds to the western U.S. through Thursday. A swath of wintry weather, including heavy snow and a wintry mix, is expected from the Northern Plains to New England. Read More >

Current conditions at

KE6AFE Santa Cruz (AP803)

Lat: 36.98217°NLon: 122.01533°WElev: 86.88ft.

NA

51°F

11°C

Humidity 80%
Wind Speed N 0 MPH
Barometer 30.01 in (1016.26 mb)
Dewpoint 45°F (7°C)
Visibility NA
Last update 18 Feb 02:21 PM PST
Extended Forecast for

Santa Cruz CA

High Surf Advisory February 18, 02:39pm until February 20, 09:00am
Click here for hazard details and duration
High Surf Advisory
  •  
    High Surf Advisory February 18, 02:39pm until February 20, 09:00am

    NOW until 9:00am Fri

    High Surf Advisory

  • This Afternoon

    High: 52 °F

    Chance Rain

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 3am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 3am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall.  Low around 42. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south 13 to 18 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

    Low: 42 °F

    Heavy Rain

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10am, then a chance of rain, mainly between 10am and 3pm.  High near 53. Breezy, with a west northwest wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

    High: 53 °F

    Breezy.
    Showers then
    Chance Rain

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly before 4am.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.  New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

    Low: 39 °F

    Chance Rain

  • Friday

    Friday: A 20 percent chance of rain before 10am.  Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Light and variable wind.

    High: 54 °F

    Slight Chance
    Rain then
    Partly Sunny

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

    Low: 41 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4pm.  Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

    High: 57 °F

    Chance Rain

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: Rain, mainly after 10pm.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.

    Low: 48 °F

    Rain

Detailed Forecast

This Afternoon
A 40 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind around 8 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 3am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 3am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 42. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south 13 to 18 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Thursday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10am, then a chance of rain, mainly between 10am and 3pm. High near 53. Breezy, with a west northwest wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night
A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of rain before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Light and variable wind.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Saturday
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 57.
Saturday Night
Rain, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Sunday
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night
Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 52.
Monday
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Monday Night
Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 51.
Tuesday
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
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ABOUT THIS FORECAST

 
Point Forecast:
Santa Cruz CA
 36.96°N 122.06°W (Elev. 180 ft)
2:31 pm PST Feb 18, 2026
2pm PST Feb 18, 2026-6pm PST Feb 24, 2026
 
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Additional Resources

Radar & Satellite Image

Link to Local Radar Data Link to Satellite Data

Hourly Weather Forecast

National Digital Forecast Database