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

2023-08-30 to 2023-08-31 · Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast, California

Event narrative

A 21-year-old male residing in Pacific Grove drowned in the sea off Carmel-by-the-Sea on Thursday August 31, 2023. The man had planned to go fishing north of Stewarts Cove on August 30 and did not return home that night as planned. Family members found his car in the Carmel River beach parking lot and reported him missing around 11 AM. The body was reported to authorities around 11:45 AM and recovered just after noon off Scenic Road. A small craft advisory for northwest winds 15 to 25 knots was in effect Wednesday, August 30 including during the evening until 9 pm. Lighter northwest winds and no small craft advisory were in effect Thursday morning, August 31, when the deceased male was found. Buoy 46042 reported wave heights of 6 to 9 feet on August 30, with periods of 7 to 9 seconds and wind gusts up to 25 knots. Wave heights at buoy 46239 ranged between 7 to 8.5 feet at 8 to 12 seconds, generally from the west or northwest. At Cabrillo Point, wave heights ranged from 3 to 3.5 feet at 8 to 12 seconds.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1117366. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.