The National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area / Monterey Bay office has issued a High Surf Advisory for several coastal areas due to the presence of large breaking waves reaching heights of 18 to 22 feet. Some areas may experience even higher waves, up to 28 feet, especially along steep beaches.
The affected areas include San Francisco, Coastal North Bay including Point Reyes National Seashore, San Francisco Peninsula Coast, Northern Monterey Bay, Southern Monterey Bay, and Big Sur Coast Counties.
The advisory warns of dangerous swimming and surfing conditions as well as localized beach erosion.
These large waves have the potential to sweep across beaches without warning, posing a risk to individuals on rocks, jetties, and beaches. Additionally, the force of the waves can displace large objects such as logs, posing a threat to anyone caught underneath.
According to the National Weather Service, these waves are a result of locally strong southerly winds combined with an incoming westerly swell from more intense storms located well offshore.