Hurricane Fausto will send powerful waves toward the California coast this weekend, creating dangerous surf conditions at Bay Area beaches even while the storm remains far out in the eastern Pacific.
The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards statement that will last from Saturday morning through Tuesday afternoon for Pacific beaches from Sonoma County through the Big Sur coast. The long-period swell will increase the risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents, with breaking waves reaching up to 10 feet at some south- and southwest-facing beaches and prominent surf breaks.
“Dangerous conditions are forecast along the shoreline,” the weather service said. “Hazards include sneaker waves, strong rip currents, and large breaking waves.”
Fausto’s waves will arrive at the California coast after traveling hundreds of miles from the hurricane. Long-period swells carry substantial energy and can produce extended calm spells between larger waves, making the ocean appear safer than it is. A sneaker wave can suddenly run much farther up a beach than surrounding waves, knocking people down or pulling them into the water.
The weather service advised people to remain out of the water, stay away from jetties, piers and rocks, and never turn their backs on the ocean. Rip currents can pull even strong swimmers away from shore.
The warning continues an unusually active stretch of hazardous summer surf along the Bay Area coast. This is the 11th beach hazard statement issued by the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office since the beginning of May.
Dangerous surf has contributed to deaths along the California coast this year, including a 5-year-old girl swept into the ocean at Laguna Beach and two college students swept from a secluded Santa Cruz County beach in June.
Beach hazards statements also cover much of Southern California through Sunday evening. Surf of 3 to 6 feet and dangerous rip currents are expected along Ventura County, Malibu and Los Angeles County beaches, while Orange and San Diego counties could see surf of 5 to 7 feet, dangerous swimming conditions and minor coastal flooding around evening high tides.
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