MENDOCINO Co., 1/9/20 — High surf including breakers that could reach up to 30 feet are in the forecast for the North Coast this weekend, along with an astronomical high tide occurring on Sunday morning. The National Weather Service warns these swells could be several feet higher than the recent high surf events, which have resulted in the deaths of at least five people and multiple marine rescue attempts over the past several months, in Mendocino, Sonoma, and Humboldt.
The high surf warning is currently in place for Sunday from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m but the ocean will be active today and leading up to the high tide Sunday morning. Beachgoers should keep a safe distance and mariners are encouraged to stay in port if possible. The high surf warnings are for most of the North Coast, you can see the specific regional warnings at the NWS website.
In general, but especially during high surf warnings, beachgoers should never turn their back on the ocean and remain in arm’s reach of young children during high swells, and to stay back jetties and rocks and surf zone if wave watching. If someone is swept away, call authorities immediately and note any landmarks to help identify the location.
Here’s the announcement for the Mendocino Coast from NWS Eureka’s website followed by a post from the Facebook page:
2021
...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM PST
SUNDAY...
* WHAT...Dangerously large breaking waves of 26 to 28 feet.
* WHERE...Coastal Mendocino County.
* WHEN...From 3 AM to 6 PM PST Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Breaking waves can sweep people off jetties and docks,
and into dangerous seas. Life-threatening surfing conditions and
significant beach erosion can be expected.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Be aware of high astronomical tides Sunday
morning, allowing some of the breaking waves to wash much
farther up beaches and possibly over some low-lying beach-side
roadways or parking lots.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Large breaking waves along the coast will lead to increased wave
run-up on beaches with waves topping and washing over large rocks
and jetties. These large waves can be erratic and unpredictable.
Use extra caution near the surf zone as these large waves will be
capable of sweeping people into the frigid and turbulent ocean
water. Mariners traversing the bar are urged to exercise extreme
caution or stay in port until the threat subsides. Please contact
the U.S. Coast Guard for information regarding harbor and bar
closures.
From NWS Eureka Facebook:
High surf returns to the coast of California once again on Sunday, with 28 to 30 foot breakers forecast for the Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino coasts. These will be at least several feet higher than the past few high surf episodes.
Breaker heights will increase very late tonight and peak on Sunday, coinciding with a high astronomical tide Sunday morning. West-facing beaches and coastline will see the largest breaking waves. Large surf is turbulent and dangerous, so beachgoers should stay farther back from the surf.
Stay off of jetties or rocks near the surf zone! If you are going wave-watching, please watch from a safe distance.