Alert archive / California / High Surf Warnings in 2018

High Surf Warning 2, NWS Eureka, CA

December 14, 2018Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Mendocino County, California

NWS Eureka, CA issued this high surf warning at Dec 14, 2018, 2:17 PM PST for Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Mendocino County, California. It took effect at Dec 16, 2018, 9:00 AM PST. It was in force for 36 hr. 6 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Dec 14, 2018, 2:17 PM PST (22:17 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 16, 2018, 9:00 AM PST
Expired
Dec 17, 2018, 9:00 PM PST
In force
36 hr
Issued by
NWS Eureka, CA

Counties Del Norte County, CA, Humboldt County, CA, Mendocino County, CA

The radar

The Eureka (Bunker Hill) radar (KBHX), 47 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:17 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Dec 16, 10:52 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG3 Ene Crescent City, CATREE DOWN ON ACROSS ROADWAY. UNKNOWN SIZE.
Dec 16, 11:45 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMGBayview, CAPOWERLINES DOWN IN ROADWAY WITH STRONG WINDS IN THE AREA.
Dec 16, 11:55 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG1 Sse Leggett, CATREES DOWN BLOCKING THE ROADWAY.
Dec 16, 11:57 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG2 Se Leggett, CATWO TREES DOWN ON HWY 271.
Dec 16, 12:10 PM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG1 E Ettersburg, CATREE DOWN BLOCKING TRAFFIC ON ETTERSBURG ROAD. UNKNOWN SIZE.
Dec 16, 12:53 PM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG2 Sse Weitchpec, CATREE DOWN ON POWERLINES CLOSING ROADWAY FOR AROUND AN HOUR.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Medford/Jackson, OR (KMFR), launched 12:00Z, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 210 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2018-12-14Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2018-12-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 137 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2323 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
61 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
137 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
239 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

344 
WHUS46 KEKA 142217
CFWEKA

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Eureka CA
217 PM PST Fri Dec 14 2018

.Very large, long period westerly swell will cause surf to rapidly
increase in height late Sunday morning through Sunday evening
along the Northwest California coast.

CAZ101-103-104-109-151230-
/O.NEW.KEKA.SU.W.0002.181216T1700Z-181218T0500Z/
Coastal Del Norte-Northern Humboldt Coast-Southwestern Humboldt-
Mendocino Coast-
217 PM PST Fri Dec 14 2018

...HIGH SURF WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM SUNDAY TO 9 PM 
MONDAY...

* WAVES AND SURF...Breaking waves rapidly building to around 30
  feet along the Northwest California coast during the latter 
  half of the weekend. The highest surf will be along west and 
  northwest facing beaches.

* TIMING...Building surf late Sunday morning through Sunday 
  evening with high surf continuing into Monday.

* IMPACTS...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 especially during max ebb which is
  predicted to occur around 900 PM Sunday and 1000 AM Monday, or 
  stay in port until the threat subsides.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous, battering wave will
pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming
conditions and deadly rip currents.

$$
9 follow-up statements
319 
WHUS46 KEKA 150840
CFWEKA

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1240 AM PST Sat Dec 15 2018

.Very large, long period westerly swell will cause surf to
rapidly increase in height late Sunday morning through Sunday
evening along the Northwest California coast.

CAZ101-103-104-109-152300-
/O.CON.KEKA.SU.W.0002.181216T1700Z-181218T0500Z/
Coastal Del Norte-Northern Humboldt Coast-Southwestern Humboldt-
Mendocino Coast-
1240 AM PST Sat Dec 15 2018

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM SUNDAY TO 9 PM
PST MONDAY...

* WAVES AND SURF...Breaking waves rapidly building to around 30 
  feet along the Northwest California coast during the latter 
  half of the weekend. The highest surf will be along west and 
  northwest facing beaches. 

* TIMING...Building surf late Sunday morning through Sunday 
  evening with high surf continuing into Monday. 

* IMPACTS...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 especially 
  during max ebb which is predicted to occur around 900 PM 
  Sunday and 1000 AM Monday, or stay in port until the threat 
  subsides. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous, battering wave will
pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming
conditions and deadly rip currents.

$$
220 
WHUS46 KEKA 151051
CFWEKA

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Eureka CA
251 AM PST Sat Dec 15 2018

.Very large, long period westerly swell will cause surf to
rapidly increase in height late Sunday morning through Sunday
evening along the Northwest California coast.

CAZ101-103-104-109-151900-
/O.CON.KEKA.SU.W.0002.181216T1700Z-181218T0500Z/
Coastal Del Norte-Northern Humboldt Coast-Southwestern Humboldt-
Mendocino Coast-
251 AM PST Sat Dec 15 2018

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM SUNDAY TO 9 PM
PST MONDAY...

* WAVES AND SURF...Breaking waves rapidly building to around 30 
  feet along the Northwest California coast during the latter 
  half of the weekend. The highest surf will be along west and 
  northwest facing beaches. 

* TIMING...Building surf late Sunday morning through Sunday 
  evening with high surf continuing into Monday. 

* IMPACTS...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 especially 
  during max ebb which is predicted to occur around 900 PM 
  Sunday and 1000 AM Monday, or stay in port until the threat 
  subsides. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous, battering wave will
pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming
conditions and deadly rip currents.

$$
536 
WHUS46 KEKA 151834
CFWEKA

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1034 AM PST Sat Dec 15 2018

.Very large, long period westerly swell will cause surf to
rapidly increase in height late Sunday morning through Sunday
evening along the Northwest California coast.

CAZ101-103-104-109-161130-
/O.CON.KEKA.SU.W.0002.181216T1700Z-181218T0500Z/
Coastal Del Norte-Northern Humboldt Coast-Southwestern Humboldt-
Mendocino Coast-
1034 AM PST Sat Dec 15 2018

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM SUNDAY TO 9 PM
PST MONDAY...

* WAVES AND SURF...Breaking waves rapidly building to around 30 
  feet along the Northwest California coast during the latter 
  half of the weekend. The highest surf will be along west and 
  northwest facing beaches. 

* TIMING...Building surf late Sunday morning through Sunday 
  evening with high surf continuing into Monday. 

* IMPACTS...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 especially 
  during max ebb which is predicted to occur around 900 PM 
  Sunday and 1000 AM Monday, or stay in port until the threat 
  subsides. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous, battering wave will
pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming
conditions and deadly rip currents.

$$
031 
WHUS46 KEKA 161353
CFWEKA

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Eureka CA
553 AM PST Sun Dec 16 2018

.Very large, long period westerly swell will cause surf to
rapidly increase in height late Sunday morning through Sunday
evening along the Northwest California coast.

CAZ101-103-104-109-162200-
/O.CON.KEKA.SU.W.0002.181216T1700Z-181218T0500Z/
Coastal Del Norte-Northern Humboldt Coast-Southwestern Humboldt-
Mendocino Coast-
553 AM PST Sun Dec 16 2018

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO
9 PM PST MONDAY...

* WAVES AND SURF...Breaking waves rapidly building to around 30 
  feet along the Northwest California coast during the latter 
  half of the weekend. The highest surf will be along west and 
  northwest facing beaches. 

* TIMING...Building surf late this morning through this evening 
  with high surf continuing into Monday. 

* IMPACTS...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 especially 
  during max ebb which is predicted to occur around 900 PM 
  Sunday and 1000 AM Monday, or stay in port until the threat 
  subsides. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous, battering wave will
pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming
conditions and deadly rip currents.

$$
340 
WHUS46 KEKA 162157
CFWEKA

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Eureka CA
157 PM PST Sun Dec 16 2018

.Very large, long period westerly swell will cause surf to
rapidly increase in height through this evening along the 
Northwest California coast.

CAZ101-103-104-109-171115-
/O.CON.KEKA.SU.W.0002.000000T0000Z-181218T0500Z/
Coastal Del Norte-Northern Humboldt Coast-Southwestern Humboldt-
Mendocino Coast-
157 PM PST Sun Dec 16 2018

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PST MONDAY...

* WAVES AND SURF...Breaking waves rapidly building to around 30
  feet along the Northwest California coast this evening. The 
  highest surf will be along west and northwest facing beaches. 

* TIMING...Building surf through this evening with high surf 
  continuing into Monday. 

* IMPACTS...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 especially 
  during max ebb which is predicted to occur around 900 PM 
  Sunday and 1000 AM Monday, or stay in port until the threat 
  subsides. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous, battering wave will
pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming
conditions and deadly rip currents.

$$
752 
WHUS46 KEKA 170616
CFWEKA

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1016 PM PST Sun Dec 16 2018

.Very large, long period westerly swell will cause surf to
rapidly increase in height through this evening along the
Northwest California coast.

CAZ101-103-104-109-180500-
/O.CON.KEKA.SU.W.0002.000000T0000Z-181218T0500Z/
Coastal Del Norte-Northern Humboldt Coast-Southwestern Humboldt-
Mendocino Coast-
1016 PM PST Sun Dec 16 2018

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PST MONDAY...

* WAVES AND SURF...Breaking waves rapidly building to around 30 
  feet along the Northwest California coast this evening. The 
  highest surf will be along west and northwest facing beaches. 

* TIMING...Building surf through this evening with very high surf
  continuing into Monday...and elevated surf continuing much of
  the week. 

* IMPACTS...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 especially during max ebb which is
  predicted to occur around 900 PM Sunday and 1000 AM Monday, or
  stay in port until the threat subsides. In addition...please
  contact the U.S. Coast Guard to determine if the bar is open to
  mariner traffic. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous, battering wave will
pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming
conditions and deadly rip currents.

$$
455 
WHUS46 KEKA 171206
CFWEKA

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Eureka CA
406 AM PST Mon Dec 17 2018

CAZ101-103-104-109-172015-
/O.CON.KEKA.SU.W.0002.000000T0000Z-181218T0500Z/
Coastal Del Norte-Northern Humboldt Coast-Southwestern Humboldt-
Mendocino Coast-
406 AM PST Mon Dec 17 2018

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PST THIS
EVENING...

* WAVES AND SURF...Breaking waves rapidly building to around 30
  feet along the Northwest California coast today. The highest 
  surf will be along west and northwest facing beaches. 

* TIMING...Building surf through this evening with very high surf
  continuing today...and elevated surf continuing much of the 
  week. 

* IMPACTS...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.  In addition...please contact the 
  U.S. Coast Guard to determine if the bar is open to mariner 
  traffic. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous, battering wave will
pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming
conditions and deadly rip currents.

$$
936 
WHUS46 KEKA 172030
CFWEKA

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1230 PM PST Mon Dec 17 2018

CAZ101-103-104-109-180500-
/O.CON.KEKA.SU.W.0002.000000T0000Z-181218T0500Z/
Coastal Del Norte-Northern Humboldt Coast-Southwestern Humboldt-
Mendocino Coast-
1230 PM PST Mon Dec 17 2018

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PST THIS
EVENING...

* WAVES AND SURF...Breaking waves around 25 feet continuing along
  the Northwest California coast today. The highest surf will be 
  along west and northwest facing beaches. 

* TIMING...Very high surf continuing through this evening. Surf
  will subside somewhat tonight but remain elevated for much of 
  the week.
 
* IMPACTS...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. In addition...
  please contact the U.S. Coast Guard to determine if the bar is 
  open to mariner traffic. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous, battering wave will
pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming
conditions and deadly rip currents.

$$
824 
WHUS46 KEKA 180457
CFWEKA

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Eureka CA
857 PM PST Mon Dec 17 2018

CAZ101-103-104-109-181300-
/O.EXP.KEKA.SU.W.0002.000000T0000Z-181218T0500Z/
/O.NEW.KEKA.SU.Y.0005.181218T0500Z-181218T2100Z/
Coastal Del Norte-Northern Humboldt Coast-Southwestern Humboldt-
Mendocino Coast-
857 PM PST Mon Dec 17 2018

...HIGH SURF WARNING REPLACED BY A HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT 
UNTIL 1 PM PST TUESDAY...

The National Weather Service in Eureka has issued a High Surf
Advisory...which is in effect until 1 PM PST Tuesday. 

* WAVES AND SURF...Breaking waves 18 to 24 feet along west and 
  northwest facing beaches.

* TIMING...While breaking wave heights will gradually
  reduce...waves will remain large and hazardous through much of
  the day Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...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. In addition... please contact the U.S. Coast Guard to
  determine if the bar is open to mariner traffic. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach
erosion.

&&

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Eureka, CA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 14, 2:23 PM PSTGale WatchEKA12 hr
Dec 14, 2:23 PM PSTGale WarningEKA47 hr
Dec 14, 2:23 PM PSTHazardous Seas WarningEKA12 hr

Nearby

High Surf Warnings in California, 2018Every high surf warning in 2018

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.