SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A high surf warning is in effect for coastal portions of the Bay Area and Central Coast this weekend as the National Weather Service warns that waves could reach 30 feet. The alert covers the North Bay, San Francisco and the Peninsula, along with the Monterey Bay and Big Sur coastline.
The warning begins at 6 a.m. Friday and runs until 4 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15. Forecasters say the strongest surf could create dangerous conditions for anyone near the water, with the risk of drowning described as very high.
Dangerous surf expected along exposed stretches of coastline
Weather officials said wave heights of 25 to 30 feet are expected during the warning period, describing the surf as dangerously large. The concern is not only the size of the waves, but the power behind them as they break against rocks, beaches and seawalls.
The National Weather Service said those conditions can overpower people in the water and also contribute to coastal erosion. That combination makes the warning especially serious for beaches, cliffs and other exposed areas where surf can surge well beyond the shoreline.
Officials are urging the public to stay out of the ocean and away from risky vantage points. They also warned people not to climb on rocks or lean over seawalls, and to avoid turning their backs on the ocean.
Beach hazards and coastal flooding remain in place before the warning begins
Before the full high surf warning takes effect, the coast is already under both a beach hazards statement and a coastal flood advisory through Friday afternoon. Those alerts point to hazardous surf and the possibility of water reaching places that are normally dry near the shoreline.
Forecasters said breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet are expected on Thursday and Friday even before the strongest surf arrives. That means dangerous conditions will build ahead of the weekend rather than waiting until the main warning period begins.
In low-lying coastal areas, as much as 1.5 feet of tidal inundation is possible during high tide. That level of flooding can affect streets, parking areas and other vulnerable spots near the coast.
Rain is expected to return with a cold front Friday morning
Along with the surf threat, rain is also returning to the Bay Area and Central Coast. The weather service said a cold front will bring wind and rain into the region in time for Friday’s commute.
That timing could create a messy start to the day for drivers and commuters already dealing with stormy coastal conditions. While the forecast does not call for extreme rainfall totals, the added wind and wet roads may still affect travel and outdoor plans.
Forecasters said the first round of rain will be tied to the incoming cold front, which will move through as the weekend weather pattern begins to change.
Another system is set to arrive Sunday into Monday
A second cold front is expected to move into the region Sunday into Monday, extending the unsettled weather pattern after the initial weekend system. The National Weather Service said this next front should also bring rain and wind to the Bay Area and Central Coast.
At this point, forecasters are not calling for large totals from either storm system. Rainfall from Friday’s front is expected to stay under an inch, and the early-week front is also expected to produce less than an inch.
Even with modest totals, the repeated rounds of rain may keep roads slick and coastal conditions unsettled through the start of next week.
What forecasters want residents and beachgoers to do now
The strongest message from the weather service is simple: stay out of the water during the warning. The agency said the combination of huge surf, strong breaking waves and coastal flooding can make even familiar shoreline areas hazardous.
People are being told to keep their distance from the ocean, especially around rocks, jetties and seawalls where waves can arrive suddenly and with force. Forecasters also stressed that people should never turn their backs on the ocean, since sneaker waves and larger sets can come in quickly.
With high surf, flooding concerns and rain all overlapping, the coastline will remain dangerous even outside the peak warning window. Officials say caution is needed from Thursday through the weekend as conditions continue to evolve.