Sonoma County Weather: Beach Hazard Warning Issued

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- Hazards at many San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay area beaches are expected to be present through the evening of Dec. 21 because of a strong North Pacific storm, National Weather Service officials have said.

Large waves, sneaker waves and rip currents are forecast until 6 p.m. for the coasts of Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.

Sneaker waves are expected this morning and large waves of 15 to 20 feet or higher are expected this afternoon, weather service officials said.

Visitors are encouraged to stay out of the water, stay off rocks along the ocean, stay back from the water and face the ocean at all times.

Large waves may catch visitors off guard and pull them into a cold, turbulent current, according to the weather service.

Steep beaches are the most dangerous. Weather service officials are warning visitors that large wave sets are possible after long sets of smaller waves lasting up to 30 minutes.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via Shutterstock