High Surf Advisory Issued For San Diego Coast

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA -- The highest surf conditions so far this winter are expected on the San Diego coast this week, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a high surf advisory. The high surf advisory for San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties is in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday.

"A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents, beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions," weather officials said.

Several strong storm systems in the Gulf of Alaska have caused a large northwest long period swell to start moving down the seas off California, leading to an extended period of high surf beginning Monday and persisting through at least Wednesday night.

Peak surf conditions are expected through Tuesday night. Although conditions are expected to diminish Wednesday into Thursday, additional high surf is predicted Friday and Saturday from a new swell generated by a Pacific storm.

Waves as high as 15 feet are predicted Tuesday, and conditions are expected to cause water to overtop jetties and create strong rip currents. Minor coastal flooding and beach erosion are expected during high tides.

Forecasters said inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water for the duration of the advisory.

By City News Service; Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.

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