PORTLAND, Ore. — The National Weather Service has issued high surf warnings for much of the West Coast and parts of Hawaii, describing the waves and currents expected to hit certain coastlines as potentially dangerous and life-threatening.
The warnings were in effect Wednesday for parts of Oregon and Hawaii. The weather service warned that waves up to 25 feet during the day could turn into “dangerously large breaking waves” of up to 30 feet along the southern Oregon coast at night, creating hazardous conditions and the potential for significant beach erosion. The organization expected high surf between about 20 and 30 feet and strong currents to impact the northern and western shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai and the north coast of Maui. It warned of ocean water flooding beaches and potentially damaging roads. and coastal infrastructure.
The high surf warning would be in effect until Thursday evening in southern Oregon and until early Friday morning in Hawaii.
A coastal flooding advisory was also in effect for much of the Washington state coastline from Wednesday morning through the afternoon. The weather service said minor flooding around high tide could affect shorelines and low-lying coastal areas. A high surf advisory, predicting large breaking waves of more than 20 feet, was set to go into effect Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon.
The rough ocean conditions were expected to hit California later Wednesday, starting with the state's north coast, before hitting the south coast starting early Thursday.
The weather service said waves up to 30 feet high, which can be “erratic and unpredictable,” could lead to “life-threatening surf conditions” along the coast in Humboldt and Mendocino counties in Northern California starting Wednesday evening.
A high surf warning for San Francisco to Big Sur will go into effect in the early hours of Thursday. The weather service said “everyone should stay out of the water” due to the dangerous conditions. A coastal flooding advisory was already in effect for the region as of Wednesday morning and was expected to last until early Friday.
The most dangerous surf conditions were expected Thursday from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on California's central coast, the weather service said. Life-threatening rip currents were expected that “pose an exceptional risk of ocean drowning” and waves up to 25 feet.
The weather service urged people to stay out of surf zones and away from jetties, rocks, piers and other waterfront infrastructure in the affected areas.