Hurricane Force Storm with 40+ Foot Seas Off U.S. West Coast

GOES-West GeoColor view of the eastern Pacific low pressure this morning, still producing hurricane force winds with significant wave heights in excess of 40 ft. #MarineWx pic.twitter.com/4OXZOqb3hd

— NWS OPC (@NWSOPC) January 4, 2023

Spectacular views from GOES-West of the rapidly intensifying, hurricane force low pressure across the eastern Pacific. The loop spans 24 hours (Jan 3 15z through Jan 4 15z), 1.5 hours between images.

Starred is the location of buoy 46006… (1/3) pic.twitter.com/VBNtSbGVHz

— NWS OPC (@NWSOPC) January 4, 2023

And finally, at last analysis cycle, OPC analyzed the central pressure of the low to 956 mb, with significant wave heights to 45 ft. The small red 18 next to the 45 ft max on the sea state chart is the location of buoy 46006. #MarineWx (3/3). pic.twitter.com/vZz1ImvkEI

— NWS OPC (@NWSOPC) January 4, 2023

Water vapor imagery via @NOAA's #GOESWest ?? this morning is showing a powerful storm system over the Pacific that is bringing strong winds and moderate to heavy rain to the West Coast.

Flooding concerns are widespread across California. Please use caution. pic.twitter.com/CRQcLZe3t2

— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) January 4, 2023

Two nighttime scenes with the Day Night Band sensor leveraging moonlight to illuminate clouds and landscape below. The #AuroraBorealis brought it's own light! The waxing gibbous #moon is 95% full, delivering stunning detail of the next west coast storm. https://t.co/Yyau2VG5Y3 pic.twitter.com/AzD6W7MTGK

— UW-Madison CIMSS (@UWCIMSS) January 4, 2023