The Bay Area is serving up what might be the most confusing weather cocktail of the year: mild afternoons flirting with 70 degrees, some spots potentially breaking 80 by Thursday, and beaches that could literally kill you. It’s the kind of mixed message that prompts forecasters to use very specific language about very real dangers.
“Sneaker waves are potentially deadly waves that suddenly surge much farther up the beach than expected, overtaking the unaware,” the National Weather Service warns in its latest beach hazards discussion. The agency rarely uses the word “deadly” in its forecasts, which should tell you something about how seriously they’re taking this.
When Perfect Weather Becomes Dangerous
A Beach Hazards Statement goes into effect at 10 AM today and runs through Thursday evening for all Pacific Coast beaches from Sonoma to Monterey County. The timing couldn’t be worse from a safety perspective—gorgeous weather on land means more people heading to the coast, where hazards include sneaker waves, strong rip currents, and large breaking waves.
The National Weather Service gets specific about the mechanics of disaster: sneaker waves can sweep beach-goers into the ocean, roll logs and heavy debris along the beach, knocking over or pinning down unsuspecting beachgoers, and can result in cold water immersion, which can be deadly with sea surface temperatures in the 54 to 57 degrees range…