Two California Counties Warned to Stay Out of Ocean as 12-Foot Waves Hit

Beachgoers visiting San Luis Obispo County beaches and Santa Barbara County central coast beaches are urged to remain out of the ocean through Friday because of dangerous waves.
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Los Angeles issued a high surf advisory for the beaches in the early morning hours on Friday. The advisory will remain in place until 3 a.m. Saturday local time.
“Large breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet for northwest facing beaches with dangerous rip currents,” the advisory said. “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.”
Beachgoers were urged to stay out of the ocean because of the conditions. If they must go into the ocean, they should stay near occupied lifeguard towers, the advisory warned.
“Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks,” the advisory added.
NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld told Newsweek that the high surf is caused by a large, northwesterly swell driven by consistent strong winds.
The winds also are expected to have some impacts on land as well, with gusty winds expected across Santa Barbara.
The winds from the swell aren’t expected to be strong enough to cause damage, but more winds arriving in Southern California this weekend could have stronger impacts.
A storm system bringing snow to high-elevation areas across California on Friday will be moving into the Southern California region accompanied by strong winds and will likely begin affecting the region on Saturday. The same system threatens to bring up to 3 feet of snow to mountainous areas across the Pacific Northwest.
“That is producing a dying front that will cause a little bit of light precipitation, especially in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County,” Schoenfeld said.
Rain will begin Friday night and linger throughout Saturday, but rain and flooding are not the biggest concerns with the system.
“We will see some pretty good winds, in particular on Saturday afternoon into the night,” Schoenfeld said.
The largest impact from the winds will be in high-elevation mountain areas in Santa Barbara County. Some high-wind advisories may be issued for high-elevation areas.
In addition to the high surf advisory on Friday, a small craft advisory is in place for the waters near the beaches.
“Conditions will be hazardous to small craft,” the warning said. “Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.”