Strong Wind — Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast, California

2023-03-09 to 2023-03-10 · Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast, California

Event narrative

Del Monte Avenue was closed between Sloat Ave and Casa Verde Rd due to downed trees and power lines, causing power outages across the Monterey Peninsula. Some areas in Del Monte Forest and Pacific Grove did not get power back on for around 2 to 3 days.

Wider weather episode

Sub-tropical jet stream aided in advecting sub-tropical moisture plume from over the Central Pacific into the California Coast starting March 9th through the 11th. This led to widespread flooding around the CWA, numerous landslides, sharp rises in rivers in Monterey County, and widespread power outages from downed trees and powerlines due to strong, gusty winds. Widespread wind gusts 45 to 55 mph were reported on the evening of the 9th and into the early hours of the 10th. Heavy rains during the same time flooded numerous streams, creeks, rivers, and roads. 4-7 inches of rain fell across the Santa Cruz Mountains while 5-10 inches of rain fell on the Santa Lucia Mountains.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1085243. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.