Alert archive / California / Beach Hazards Statements in 2019
Beach Hazards Statement 8, NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA
NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA issued this beach hazards statement at Dec 24, 2019, 10:53 AM PST for 6 counties in California. It took effect at Dec 25, 2019, 5:00 AM PST. It was in force for 40 hr.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Dec 24, 2019, 10:53 AM PST (18:53 UTC)
- In effect from
- Dec 25, 2019, 5:00 AM PST
- Expired
- Dec 26, 2019, 9:00 PM PST
- In force
- 40 hr
- Issued by
- NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Counties City and County of San Francisco, CA, Marin County, CA, Monterey County, CA, San Mateo County, CA, Santa Cruz County, CA, Sonoma County, CA
The radar
The San Francisco radar (KMUX), 53 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:56 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.
The nearest sounding before it
Oakland, CA (KOAK), launched 12:00Z, 6.9 hours before the alert went out and 26 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 965 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 21 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 50 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 30 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
989 WHUS46 KMTR 241853 CFWMTR COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE National Weather Service SAN FRANCISCO CA 1053 AM PST Tue Dec 24 2019 ...INCREASED RISK OF SNEAKER WAVES, RIP CURRENTS, AND LARGE SHORE BREAK EARLY WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... .A long period northwest swell will impact the coastline from Sonoma southward through Big Sur beginning late tonight. Forerunners will arrive this evening, but the greatest risk of sneaker waves impacting the coast will exist from late tonight through Wednesday afternoon. A sneaker wave is powerful enough to knock unsuspecting people into the ocean. Northwest swell of 3 to 5 feet at 18 to 20 seconds is expected Wednesday morning before building to 9 to 12 feet at 17 to 18 seconds in the afternoon and evening. This will generate breaking waves of 17 to 22 feet at favored locations. Swell periods will decrease throughout the day on Thursday, but breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet will still be possible. CAZ006-505-509-529-530-250900- /O.NEW.KMTR.BH.S.0008.191225T1300Z-191226T1700Z/ San Francisco- Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore- San Francisco Peninsula Coast-Northern Monterey Bay- Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast- 1053 AM PST Tue Dec 24 2019 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a Beach Hazards Statement for increased sneaker wave risk, increased rip current activity, and large shore break which is in effect from late tonight through Thursday morning. * HAZARDS...Increased sneaker wave risk, increased risk of rip currents, large shore break. * TIMING...From 5 AM Wednesday to 9 AM Thursday. * LOCATION...Entire Pacific coastline from Sonoma south to Big Sur. * POTENTIAL IMPACTS...Larger surf at offshore breaks and an enhanced risk of sneaker waves on northwest California beaches. Steep beaches will have a higher risk of sneaker wave activity with greater wave run-up onto beaches. Large waves will also wash over jetties and rock outcroppings that may normally stay dry. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Beach Hazard Statement means the potentially dangerous conditions may exist on specific beaches. These hazards may include large shore break...strong rip currents...and possible sneaker waves. All of which could be life threatening. An increased sneaker wave risk means that conditions are present to support a heightened risk of unsuspecting beach goers being swept into the sea by a wave. Rip currents are typically more frequent and stronger in the vicinity of jetties...inlets...and piers. Swimmers caught in a rip current should swim parallel to the coast to escape the rip current before trying to swim for shore. Swimmers should avoid swimming in areas of large shore break and always swim near a lifeguard. Fisherman should avoid fishing from rocks or jetties. Be sure to always keep your eyes on the ocean. $$
4 follow-up statements
123 WHUS46 KMTR 250834 CFWMTR COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE National Weather Service SAN FRANCISCO CA 1234 AM PST Wed Dec 25 2019 ...INCREASED RISK OF SNEAKER WAVES, RIP CURRENTS, AND LARGE SHORE BREAK EARLY WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... .A long period northwest swell will impact the coastline from Sonoma southward through Big Sur beginning late tonight. Forerunners will arrive this evening, but the greatest risk of sneaker waves impacting the coast will exist from late tonight through Wednesday afternoon. A sneaker wave is powerful enough to knock unsuspecting people into the ocean. Northwest swell of 3 to 5 feet at 18 to 20 seconds is expected Wednesday morning before building to 9 to 12 feet at 17 to 18 seconds in the afternoon and evening. This will generate breaking waves of 17 to 22 feet at favored locations. Swell periods will decrease throughout the day on Thursday, but breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet will still be possible. CAZ006-505-509-529-530-252200- /O.CON.KMTR.BH.S.0008.191225T1300Z-191226T1700Z/ San Francisco- Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore- San Francisco Peninsula Coast-Northern Monterey Bay- Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast- 1234 AM PST Wed Dec 25 2019 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM PST EARLY THIS MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... * HAZARDS...Increased sneaker wave risk, increased risk of rip currents, large shore break. * TIMING...From 5 AM Wednesday to 9 AM Thursday. * LOCATION...Entire Pacific coastline from Sonoma south to Big Sur. * POTENTIAL IMPACTS...Larger surf at offshore breaks and an enhanced risk of sneaker waves on northwest California beaches. Steep beaches will have a higher risk of sneaker wave activity with greater wave run-up onto beaches. Large waves will also wash over jetties and rock outcroppings that may normally stay dry. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Beach Hazard Statement means the potentially dangerous conditions may exist on specific beaches. These hazards may include large shore break...strong rip currents...and possible sneaker waves. All of which could be life threatening. An increased sneaker wave risk means that conditions are present to support a heightened risk of unsuspecting beach goers being swept into the sea by a wave. Rip currents are typically more frequent and stronger in the vicinity of jetties...inlets...and piers. Swimmers caught in a rip current should swim parallel to the coast to escape the rip current before trying to swim for shore. Swimmers should avoid swimming in areas of large shore break and always swim near a lifeguard. Fisherman should avoid fishing from rocks or jetties. Be sure to always keep your eyes on the ocean. $$
396 WHUS46 KMTR 252147 CFWMTR COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE National Weather Service SAN FRANCISCO CA 147 PM PST Wed Dec 25 2019 ...INCREASED RISK OF SNEAKER WAVES, RIP CURRENTS, AND LARGE SHORE BREAK THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... .A long period northwest swell will continue to impact the coastline from Sonoma southward through Big Sur through tomorrow morning. The risk of sneaker waves impacting the coast remains highest through late Wednesday afternoon. A sneaker wave is powerful enough to knock unsuspecting people into the ocean. Northwest swell of 3 to 5 feet at 18 to 20 seconds is expected to build to 9 to 12 feet at 17 to 18 seconds late in the afternoon and evening. This will generate breaking waves of 17 to 22 feet at favored locations. Swell periods will decrease throughout the day on Thursday, but breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet will still be possible. CAZ006-505-509-529-530-261000- /O.CON.KMTR.BH.S.0008.000000T0000Z-191226T1700Z/ San Francisco- Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore- San Francisco Peninsula Coast-Northern Monterey Bay- Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast- 147 PM PST Wed Dec 25 2019 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... * HAZARDS...Increased sneaker wave risk, increased risk of rip currents, large shore break. * TIMING...From 5 AM Wednesday to 9 AM Thursday. * LOCATION...Entire Pacific coastline from Sonoma south to Big Sur. * POTENTIAL IMPACTS...Larger surf at offshore breaks and an enhanced risk of sneaker waves on northwest California beaches. Steep beaches will have a higher risk of sneaker wave activity with greater wave run-up onto beaches. Large waves will also wash over jetties and rock outcroppings that may normally stay dry. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Beach Hazard Statement means the potentially dangerous conditions may exist on specific beaches. These hazards may include large shore break...strong rip currents...and possible sneaker waves. All of which could be life threatening. An increased sneaker wave risk means that conditions are present to support a heightened risk of unsuspecting beach goers being swept into the sea by a wave. Rip currents are typically more frequent and stronger in the vicinity of jetties...inlets...and piers. Swimmers caught in a rip current should swim parallel to the coast to escape the rip current before trying to swim for shore. Swimmers should avoid swimming in areas of large shore break and always swim near a lifeguard. Fisherman should avoid fishing from rocks or jetties. Be sure to always keep your eyes on the ocean. $$
316 WHUS46 KMTR 260950 CFWMTR COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE National Weather Service SAN FRANCISCO CA 150 AM PST Thu Dec 26 2019 ...INCREASED RISK OF SNEAKER WAVES, RIP CURRENTS, AND LARGE SHORE BREAK THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING... .A long period northwest swell will continue to impact the coastline from Sonoma southward through Big Sur, therefore the Coastal Hazard has been extended through this evening. The risk of sneaker waves impacting the coast remains high along the coastline. A sneaker wave is powerful enough to knock unsuspecting people into the ocean. The northwest swell has the ability to generate breaking waves of 17 to 22 feet at favored locations. Swell periods will decrease throughout the day on Thursday, but breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet will still be possible. CAZ006-505-509-529-530-262200- /O.EXT.KMTR.BH.S.0008.000000T0000Z-191227T0400Z/ San Francisco- Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore- San Francisco Peninsula Coast-Northern Monterey Bay- Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast- 150 AM PST Thu Dec 26 2019 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... * HAZARDS...Increased sneaker wave risk, increased risk of rip currents, large shore break. * TIMING...From 5 AM Wednesday to 9 PM Thursday. * LOCATION...Entire Pacific coastline from Sonoma south to Big Sur. * POTENTIAL IMPACTS...Larger surf at offshore breaks and an enhanced risk of sneaker waves on northwest California beaches. Steep beaches will have a higher risk of sneaker wave activity with greater wave run-up onto beaches. Large waves will also wash over jetties and rock outcroppings that may normally stay dry. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Beach Hazard Statement means the potentially dangerous conditions may exist on specific beaches. These hazards may include large shore break...strong rip currents...and possible sneaker waves. All of which could be life threatening. An increased sneaker wave risk means that conditions are present to support a heightened risk of unsuspecting beach goers being swept into the sea by a wave. Rip currents are typically more frequent and stronger in the vicinity of jetties...inlets...and piers. Swimmers caught in a rip current should swim parallel to the coast to escape the rip current before trying to swim for shore. Swimmers should avoid swimming in areas of large shore break and always swim near a lifeguard. Fisherman should avoid fishing from rocks or jetties. Be sure to always keep your eyes on the ocean. $$
150 WHUS46 KMTR 262204 CFWMTR COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE National Weather Service SAN FRANCISCO CA 204 PM PST Thu Dec 26 2019 ...INCREASED RISK OF SNEAKER WAVES, RIP CURRENTS, AND LARGE SHORE BREAK THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING... .A long period northwest swell will continue to impact the coastline from Sonoma southward through Big Sur, therefore the Coastal Hazard remains in effect through this evening. The risk of sneaker waves impacting the coast remains elevated along the coastline. A sneaker wave is powerful enough to knock unsuspecting people into the ocean. The northwest swell has the ability to generate breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet at favored locations. Swell periods heights and periods will subside overnight. CAZ006-505-509-529-530-270500- /O.EXT.KMTR.BH.S.0008.000000T0000Z-191227T0500Z/ San Francisco- Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore- San Francisco Peninsula Coast-Northern Monterey Bay- Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast- 204 PM PST Thu Dec 26 2019 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PST THIS EVENING... * HAZARDS...Increased sneaker wave risk, increased risk of rip currents, large shore break. * TIMING...Remains in effect until 9 PM Thursday. * LOCATION...Entire Pacific coastline from Sonoma south to Big Sur. * POTENTIAL IMPACTS...Larger surf at offshore breaks and an enhanced risk of sneaker waves on northwest California beaches. Steep beaches will have a higher risk of sneaker wave activity with greater wave run-up onto beaches. Large waves will also wash over jetties and rock outcroppings that may normally stay dry. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Beach Hazard Statement means the potentially dangerous conditions may exist on specific beaches. These hazards may include large shore break...strong rip currents...and possible sneaker waves. All of which could be life threatening. An increased sneaker wave risk means that conditions are present to support a heightened risk of unsuspecting beach goers being swept into the sea by a wave. Rip currents are typically more frequent and stronger in the vicinity of jetties...inlets...and piers. Swimmers caught in a rip current should swim parallel to the coast to escape the rip current before trying to swim for shore. Swimmers should avoid swimming in areas of large shore break and always swim near a lifeguard. Fisherman should avoid fishing from rocks or jetties. Be sure to always keep your eyes on the ocean. $$
The office that day
Everything else NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24, 2:03 PM PST | Small Craft Advisory | MTR | 4 days |
Nearby
Beach Hazards Statements in California, 2019Every beach hazards statement in 2019
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.