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A winter storm moving through the U.S. Southwest prompted National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists to issue a serious warning for people along the California coast.
Myriad winter weather alerts were issued across the United States on Wednesday morning as a jet stream brought snow and rain to the region. Motorists were advised of hazardous travel conditions and limited visibility from blowing snow, and an alert warned residents of the storm's deadly impact in some areas.
A high surf advisory is currently in place for the Santa Barbara County southwestern coast, San Luis Obispo beaches, Ventura County beaches, the Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands, the Malibu coast, Los Angeles County Beaches, the San Francisco Coastal North Bay including Point Reyes National Seashore, the San Francisco Peninsula coast, Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast Counties and San Diego County coastal areas.
All advisories are in place at least through Wednesday, with some extending into the night on Thursday as breaking waves reach up to 23 feet high.
Newsweek reached out to the NWS office in Los Angeles by phone for comment.
"There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats nearshore," one of the advisories read. "Remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks."
The waves are highest near San Francisco, with the advisory warning people to "never turn your back on the ocean."
"These waves can also move large objects such as logs, crushing anyone caught underneath," the advisory said.
The advisory carries extra weight after a rogue wave from a similar winter storm swept onlookers off their feet on Ventura Beach last Thursday. The massive wave was so strong that it forcefully moved a parked car away from the shoreline.
Eight people were taken to the hospital for injuries sustained by the exceptionally high waves along the California coast last Thursday, and the Ventura County Fire Department had to make several rescues.
A separate high surf advisory warned people along the southcentral Oregon coast and the Curry County coast to exercise caution from early Friday morning until late Saturday night, as large breaking waves could reach up to 26 feet high.
The Wednesday storm is moving eastward from the Pacific. Meteorologists expect it to hit the southern Plains and bring up to 10 inches of snow to northern New Mexico by the end of the week before continuing its trek eastward where it will become the first "widespread significant winter storm" of the season in the Northeast.
About the writer
Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more