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

Heavy Rainfall to Bring Flooding Threat to California; Heavy Snow in the Sierra

A strong atmospheric river will bring heavy rainfall to California through the holiday week. The heaviest rainfall is expected on Wednesday in the Los Angeles Basin. Flash and urban flooding is possible. A prolonged heavy snowfall is expected in the Sierra Nevada from the atmospheric river, raising concerns for major snow‐load impacts. Travel may be difficult to impossible over the passes. Read More >

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Current conditions at

KE6AFE Santa Cruz (AP803)

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

NA

58°F

14°C

Humidity 84%
Wind Speed N 0 MPH
Barometer 29.69 in (1005.42 mb)
Dewpoint 53°F (12°C)
Visibility NA
Last update 23 Dec 06:17 PM PST
Extended Forecast for

Santa Cruz CA

Flood Watch December 23, 06:40pm until December 26, 10:00pm
High Wind Warning until December 24, 04:00am
Click here for hazard details and duration
Flood Watch
High Wind Warning
  •  
    Flood Watch December 23, 06:40pm until December 26, 10:00pm
    High Wind Warning until December 24, 04:00am

    NOW: Multiple hazards in effect

    Click HERE for Details

  • Tonight

    Low: 51 °F

    Showers and
    Breezy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 60. South southeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

    High: 60 °F

    Showers then
    Severe
    Thunderstorms

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then showers between 10pm and 1am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 49. Breezy, with a south wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

    Low: 49 °F

    Severe
    Thunderstorms
    and Breezy

  • Christmas Day

    Christmas Day: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 58. South wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

    High: 58 °F

    Showers

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 47. South southwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

    Low: 47 °F

    Showers

  • Friday

    Friday: Showers. High near 57. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

    High: 57 °F

    Showers

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

    Low: 44 °F

    Showers

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.

    High: 58 °F

    Chance
    Showers

Detailed Forecast

Tonight
Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1am. Low around 51. Breezy, with a southeast wind 16 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday
Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 60. South southeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then showers between 10pm and 1am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 49. Breezy, with a south wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Christmas Day
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 58. South wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Thursday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 47. South southwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Friday
Showers. High near 57. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 39.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 62.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Tuesday
A slight chance of showers. Sunny, with a high near 65.
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ABOUT THIS FORECAST

 
Point Forecast:
Santa Cruz CA
 36.97°N 122.03°W (Elev. 69 ft)
Last Update:
2:30 pm PST Dec 23, 2025
Forecast Valid:
6pm PST Dec 23, 2025-6pm PST Dec 30, 2025
 
Forecast Discussion
 
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Additional Resources

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Chance of Precipitation