Weather Alert in California

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Special Weather Statement issued July 29 at 8:43PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

AREAS AFFECTED: Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands; San Luis Obispo County Beaches; Santa Barbara County Central Coast Beaches; Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast; Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast; Ventura County Beaches; Malibu Coast; Los Angeles County Beaches; San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands; Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands

DESCRIPTION: ...TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS, ALL COASTAL AREAS OF LOS ANGELES...VENTURA...SANTA BARBARA...AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES... * UPDATES... There have been no significant changes since the last statement. * LOCAL IMPACTS... A tsunami capable of producing strong currents that may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures is expected. Widespread inundation is NOT expected. However, damage at the harbors will be possible. Surging water in and out of harbors can cause boats and docks to detach from structures. Port San Luis and Morro Bay will be of particular concern for these impacts, however other locations anywhere in the Advisory area will be susceptible to impacts including coastal flooding. * RECOMMENDED ACTIONS... If you are located in this coastal area, move off the beach and out of harbors and marinas. Do not go to the coast to watch the tsunami. Be alert to instructions from your local emergency officials * FORECAST TSUNAMI START TIMES... Port San Luis California 1235 AM PDT on Jul 30 Santa Barbara California 1245 AM PDT on Jul 30 Los Angeles California 0100 AM PDT on Jul 30 Tsunamis often arrive as a series of waves or surges which could be dangerous for many hours after the first wave arrival. The first tsunami wave or surge may not be the highest in the series. * FORECAST TSUNAMI DURATION... Port San Luis California 24 hrs * FORECAST PEAK TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHTS... Port San Luis California 2.0 to 3.7 ft Santa Barbara California less than 1 ft Los Angeles California less than 1 ft * PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION... An earthquake occurred with a preliminary magnitude of 8.8. * TIDE INFORMATION... Port San Luis...Low tide of 2.0 ft at 831 PM PDT on Jul 29. High tide of 3.9 ft at 201 AM PDT on Jul 30. Santa Barbara...Low tide of 2.1 ft at 756 PM PDT on Jul 29. High tide of 3.9 ft at 129 AM PDT on Jul 30. Los Angeles...Low tide of 2.0 ft at 728 PM PDT on Jul 29. High tide of 4.0 ft at 101 AM PDT on Jul 30. This product will be updated as new information becomes available. Stay tuned to your local news source and NOAA weather radio for further information and updates.

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Weather Topic: What are Contrails?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Contrails

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

A contrail is an artificial cloud, created by the passing of an aircraft.

Contrails form because water vapor in the exhaust of aircraft engines is suspended in the air under certain temperatures and humidity conditions. These contrails are called exhaust contrails.

Another type of contrail can form due to a temporary reduction in air pressure moving over the plane's surface, causing condensation. These are called aerodynamic contrails.

When you can see your breath on a cold day, it is also because of condensation. The reason contrails last longer than the condensation from your breath is because the water in contrails freezes into ice particles.

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

Weather Topic: What are Cumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cumulus Clouds

Next Topic: Drizzle

Cumulus clouds are fluffy and textured with rounded tops, and may have flat bottoms. The border of a cumulus cloud is clearly defined, and can have the appearance of cotton or cauliflower.

Cumulus clouds form at low altitudes (rarely above 2 km) but can grow very tall, becoming cumulus congestus and possibly the even taller cumulonimbus clouds. When cumulus clouds become taller, they have a greater chance of producing precipitation.

Next Topic: Drizzle