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Photo: Eric Risberg / High waves crashed against the seawall at Fort Point with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in San Francisco. The season's largest storm brought much-needed snow to the Sierra Nevada, delighting ski resorts and nearby businesses. Meanwhile, rain, wind gusts, and high surf warnings impacted other parts of drought-stricken California, with highway patrol urging drivers to slow down.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of potentially life-threatening surf with waves reaching 20 to 30 feet along the Pacific Coast later this week. These hazardous conditions include high surf, powerful rip currents, sneaker waves, and minor coastal flooding, posing significant risks to both beachgoers and infrastructure. A high surf advisory is in effect through Sunday, prompting warnings from the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management about dangerous conditions at coastal beaches.
Residents and visitors are urged to stay out of the water, avoid low-lying coastal areas, and prepare for potential flooding and erosion in vulnerable regions. The NWS also stresses the importance of vigilance near the shore, advising individuals to "never turn your back on the ocean."
This advisory follows last week's destructive waves, which caused part of the Santa Cruz Wharf to collapse into the ocean. Officials emphasize that these conditions are not only dangerous for those in the water but also for those near the coastline. Safety precautions, including avoiding rocky outcrops, are essential during this period of extreme surf activity.