Station Name: Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203)
Station Type: Buoy
Data Source: National Data Buoy Center

Elevation Above Sea Level: 0 feet

Nearest Address:
Offshore
Santa Cruz Island, CA
Santa Barbara County

GPS Coordinates: 33.769, -119.565

Nearby Water Temperatures

Winter Storm Warning issued February 16 at 9:17AM PST until February 19 at 9:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Effective: Mon February 16, 2026, 9:17 AM
Expires: Tue February 17, 2026, 4:00 AM

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of up to 4 inches between 3500 and 4500 feet, 6 to 12 inches for 4500 to 6000 feet, and 1 to 2 feet above 6000 feet. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph through Monday afternoon, and as high as 50 mph through Thursday morning. * WHERE...Eastern San Gabriel Mountains and Northern Ventura County Mountains. * WHEN...Until 9 AM PST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could become treacherous. Visibilities may drop below one-quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There will be a break in the snowfall for Tuesday into Tuesday night, before heavy snow returns by Wednesday. However, blowing and drifting snow producing significant visibility restrictions will continue above 6000 feet elevation, even during the break in snowfall.

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

Winter Storm Warning issued February 16 at 9:17AM PST until February 19 at 9:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Effective: Mon February 16, 2026, 9:17 AM
Expires: Tue February 17, 2026, 4:00 AM

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches for 3500 to 4500 feet elevation including the Grapevine of the Interstate-5 Corridor possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches above 4500 feet elevation possible. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Interstate 5 Corridor, Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains, and Southern Ventura County Mountains. * WHEN...From 9 PM Tuesday to 9 AM PST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could become treacherous. Visibilities may drop below one-quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow.

If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order. Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

High Surf Advisory issued February 16 at 12:16PM PST until February 20 at 10:00PM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Effective: Mon February 16, 2026, 12:16 PM
Expires: Tue February 17, 2026, 6:00 AM

* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet, with local sets to 15 feet possible on Wednesday, and dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...Ventura County Beaches. * WHEN...Until 10 PM PST Friday. * IMPACTS...There is an increased risk for ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Minor coastal flooding possible around mid- morning and late-evening times of high tide on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.

Wind Advisory issued February 17 at 2:52AM PST until February 18 at 6:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Effective: Tue February 17, 2026, 2:52 AM
Expires: Tue February 17, 2026, 5:15 PM

* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE...The coasts and valleys of Ventura and Los Angeles counties as well as the city of Santa Barbara and the Santa Monica Mountains * WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 6 AM PST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Flood Watch issued February 17 at 2:42AM PST until February 18 at 3:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Effective: Tue February 17, 2026, 2:42 AM
Expires: Tue February 17, 2026, 10:45 AM

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Rock and mud slides are possible near steep terrain and along canyon roads. Debris flows are possible on recent burn scars. * WHERE...A portion of southwest California, including the following counties, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. * WHEN...From this afternoon through late tonight. * IMPACTS...Flash flooding is possible. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of low-lying and flood-prone locations, including creeks and streams. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Extensive street flooding is possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A line of heavy showers and thunderstorms will sweep across the region this afternoon into evening, bringing the risk for flash flooding, rock and mud slides, and burn-scar debris flows across the Flood Watch area. After the passage of the line, scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms will continue into late tonight, prolonging the flooding risk in isolated locations. Flooding and burn-scar debris flows are not expected for areas above the snow level, of approximately 4500 feet elevation, where snow will fall instead of rain. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding and near recent burn scars should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. Travel through passes and canyons could become dangerous, and be alert for rock slides and mud slides. Follow the direction of Emergency Management and Law Enforcement officials.