Back-to-back atmospheric rivers are moving through the West, causing life-threatening coastal conditions for California including massive waves up to 50 feet. High surf and coastal flood advisories are in place through Tuesday.
Surfers and swimmers are being told to stay out of the Pacific Ocean this week as up to 50-foot waves will pound the shores of California, causing life-threatening conditions that have prompted multiple water rescues.
Multiple atmospheric rivers are marching across the Pacific, bringing rounds of moisture and dangerous winds to the West Coast, including monster waves.
A view of big waves in Pacific Ocean at Municipal Pier of Pacifica, California, United States on December 22, 2024 during a coastal flood and high surf warning. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Forecasters with the National Weather Service San Francisco office said dangerous and life-threatening beach conditions are forecast through Tuesday for all Pacific coast beaches. Those threats include high surf, rip currents, sneaker waves and coastal flooding.
“Happening now in Capitola! The swell has not even peaked yet. You are risking your life and the lives of others by getting in or too close to the water,” the NWS wrote with a video of waves pounding a boardwalk in Capitola.
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High Surf Advisories are in place through Tuesday for the entire Pacific coast, which includes more than 2.5 million people.
West Coast surf alerts through Tuesday.
(FOX Weather)
Dangerous breaking waves up to 35 feet are possible along the Pacific coast through Tuesday.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, wave heights are nearing 30 feet in the Bay Area and 20 feet in Santa Cruz County.
California State Parks officials told FOX Weather multiple ocean rescues occurred between Sunday and Monday.
On Sunday, State Parks lifeguards and Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County responded to a surfer in distress at New Brighton State Beach during high surf. The surfer was escorted to safety.
(FOX Weather)
On Monday, Central Fire responded to multiple rescues near state beaches, including one at Sunset Beach, where a person was trapped under debris from high surf. Bystanders and first responders rescued the person, who sustained injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
The Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County website shows crews responded to at least two water rescues on Monday near Live Oak and Capitola beaches.
Some Northern California state parks are closed or have brought in more lifeguards to respond to the rough surf.