The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards statement on Monday, warning Bay Area beachgoers of dangerous surf conditions from Tuesday morning through Friday afternoon.
A long-period southwest swell originating from storms in the Southern Hemisphere will impact south and southwest-facing beaches across Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties.
Forecasters expect the wave energy to create rough seas and poor surfing conditions, with breaking waves reaching up to 10 feet along the coast.
The agency noted that this alert marks the 10th beach hazards statement issued for the Bay Area since the beginning of May, representing the highest number on record for the late spring and early summer period.
Safety Precautions
“Sneaker waves can sweep across the shoreline without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches,” the weather service said.
“Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion can be expected. Stay off of jetties, piers, rocks, and other waterside infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, a persistent marine layer will keep local temperatures near or below seasonal averages with low overnight clouds before a regional warming trend begins during the second half of the week.
