Stormy seas have calmed down a bit along the California coast over the Christmas holidays, but strong surf is expected to return to the Bay Area for the rest of the week.
Waves of up to 30 feet are expected to hit Northern California Thursday morning into Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory, warning swimmers and boaters of dangerous conditions.
Temperatures in the Bay Area will reach the low 60s through the weekend, with a high chance of rain and mist, according to meteorologists. Rainfall may cause flooding of local streams and areas with severe road conditions.
Earlier this week, the exterior of the historic Santa Cruz Pier caved in as water surged toward the shore, plunging three people into the raging waters; they were all later rescued. Debris from the storm killed one man in Monterey Bay.
National Weather Service meteorologist Brayden Murdock said that while waves of this intensity are uncommon, the deadly conditions are consistent with this time of year, when waves are typically highest along the California coast.
“The last time we saw waves like this was probably early January 2023,” Murdoch said. “So extreme situations like this are not common – but at this time of year, it’s not impossible.”
“Luckily, it’s one of the coldest times of the year, so there aren’t too many people walking around the shoreline,” he added. “But there are some things people need to be cautious about.”
The winter storm also caused flooding on highways and major roads in Berkeley and Oakland, as well as rockslides in rural Sonoma County.
The situation in Southern California has been milder. On Christmas morning, after the foggy weather, the clouds parted and the sunshine streamed in.
Weather Bureau meteorologists predict swells of 5 to 10 feet in Los Angeles and Orange counties on Christmas Day. Waves, with peaks reaching 15 feet, are expected to last for a week in northern San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the upper 60s for the rest of the week, with no rain expected.
Meteorologists warned motorists that strong wind gusts in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valley could make driving difficult for large vehicles.
Windy weather is bringing trouble to Southern California’s unusually dry weather. The rainy season begins in October and lasts until March, when downtown Los Angeles typically receives about 4 inches of rain. So far this year, it has reached about 0.16 inches.
Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office, said wind gusts of up to 60 mph will increase wildfire risks, especially next week, when Santa Ana winds could push hot, dry air across the South Mountain passes in California.
Cohen said the threat is expected to be greatest Monday through Thursday next week, “when dry air and rising temperatures will bring higher fire weather risks.”
Earlier this month, the Franklin Fire ignited more than 4,000 acres in Malibu. The fast-moving fire, driven largely by strong Santa Ana winds, damaged or destroyed dozens of buildings and invaded the Pepperdine University campus.
