Dangerous Waves Expected At Marin County Beaches Through Sunday

MARIN COUNTY, CA – The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard advisory for large waves, rip currents, longshore currents and sneaker waves from Thursday through Sunday. The moderately-sized, long-period southerly swell is generated by Hurricane Fabio.

South-facing beaches along the Central Coast from Sonoma County through Monterey County, such as Point Reyes National Seashore and Stinson Beach, will be most affected by the activity, according to the National Weather Service. The largest waves are expected Thursday night and Friday, and could reach up to 8 feet.

Rip currents are fast, powerful wave patterns that move away from shore, while sneaker waves are very large waves that usually outsize other waves and longshore currents move parallel to the beach.

Beachgoers should never turn their back to the water, according to the National Weather Service. Weather officials urged beachgoers to also keep an eye on pets and stay off coastal jetties, thin strips of land between the beach and open water.

Main image via NWS; image 2 credit: FLPA/REX/Shutterstock