Alert archive / California / Beach Hazards Statements in 2026

Beach Hazards Statement 4, NWS San Diego, CA

May 15, 2026Orange County, San Diego County, California

NWS San Diego, CA issued this beach hazards statement at May 15, 2026, 11:57 AM PDT for Orange County, San Diego County, California. It took effect at May 16, 2026, 6:00 PM PDT. It was in force for 39 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 15, 2026, 11:57 AM PDT (18:57 UTC)
In effect from
May 16, 2026, 6:00 PM PDT
Expired
May 18, 2026, 9:00 AM PDT
In force
39 hr
Issued by
NWS San Diego, CA

Counties Orange County, CA, San Diego County, CA

The radar

The San Diego radar (KNKX), 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

San Diego, CA (KNKX), launched 12:00Z, 7.0 hours before the alert went out and 62 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, San Diego, CA at 12:00Z on 2026-05-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, San Diego, CA at 12:00Z on 2026-05-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 23 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
618 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
23 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
77 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

804 
WHUS46 KSGX 151857
CFWSGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Diego CA
1157 AM PDT Fri May 15 2026

CAZ043-552-160515-
/O.NEW.KSGX.BH.S.0004.260517T0100Z-260518T1600Z/
San Diego County Coastal Areas-Orange County Coastal Areas-
1157 AM PDT Fri May 15 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Northwest swell from 290 degrees with a period of 9-10 
  seconds will generate surf of 4-6 ft, with local sets to 7 ft. 

* WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County 
  Coastal Areas.

* WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous swimming conditions and minor tidal overflow.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tides of 6.5 to 7 ft combined with
  elevated may result in minor tidal overflow for beach parking
  lots and boardwalks. Highest surf will be on west/northwest
  facing beaches. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

&&

$$

CO
9 follow-up statements
217 
WHUS46 KSGX 160404
CFWSGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Diego CA
904 PM PDT Fri May 15 2026

CAZ043-552-161445-
/O.CON.KSGX.BH.S.0004.260517T0100Z-260518T1600Z/
San Diego County Coastal Areas-Orange County Coastal Areas-
904 PM PDT Fri May 15 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY
EVENING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Northwest swell from 290 degrees with a period of 9 to 10
  seconds will generate surf of 4 to 6 ft, with local sets to 7
  ft. 

* WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County 
  Coastal Areas.

* WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous swimming conditions and minor tidal 
  overflow.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tides of 6.5 to 7 ft combined with 
  elevated may result in minor tidal overflow for beach parking 
  lots and boardwalks. Highest surf will be on west/northwest 
  facing beaches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

&&

$$
384 
WHUS46 KSGX 160906
CFWSGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Diego CA
206 AM PDT Sat May 16 2026

CAZ043-552-162315-
/O.CON.KSGX.BH.S.0004.260517T0100Z-260518T1600Z/
San Diego County Coastal Areas-Orange County Coastal Areas-
206 AM PDT Sat May 16 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Northwest swell from 290 degrees with a period of 9 to 
  10 seconds will generate surf of 4 to 6 ft, with local sets to 
  7 ft.

* WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County 
  Coastal Areas.

* WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous swimming conditions and minor tidal 
  overflow.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tides of 6.5 to 7 ft combined with 
  elevated may result in minor tidal overflow for beach parking 
  lots and boardwalks. Highest surf will be on west/northwest 
  facing beaches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

&&

$$
253 
WHUS46 KSGX 162027
CFWSGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Diego CA
127 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026

CAZ043-552-170500-
/O.CON.KSGX.BH.S.0004.260517T0100Z-260518T1600Z/
San Diego County Coastal Areas-Orange County Coastal Areas-
127 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM PDT THIS
EVENING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Northwest swell from 290 degrees with a period of 9 to 
  10 seconds will generate surf of 4 to 6 ft, with local sets to 
  7 ft.

* WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County 
  Coastal Areas.

* WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous swimming conditions and minor tidal 
  overflow.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tides of 6.5 to 7 ft combined with 
  elevated may result in minor tidal overflow for beach parking 
  lots and boardwalks. Highest surf will be on west/northwest 
  facing beaches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

&&

$$
903 
WHUS46 KSGX 170446
CFWSGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Diego CA
946 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026

CAZ043-552-171300-
/O.CON.KSGX.BH.S.0004.000000T0000Z-260518T1600Z/
San Diego County Coastal Areas-Orange County Coastal Areas-
946 PM PDT Sat May 16 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING...

* WHAT...Northwest swell from 290 degrees with a period of 9 to 
  10 seconds will generate surf of 4 to 6 ft, with local sets to 
  7 ft.

* WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County 
  Coastal Areas.

* WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous swimming conditions and minor tidal 
  overflow.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tides of 6.5 to 7 ft combined with 
  elevated may result in minor tidal overflow for beach parking 
  lots and boardwalks. Highest surf will be on west/northwest 
  facing beaches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

&&

$$
716 
WHUS46 KSGX 170807
CFWSGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Diego CA
107 AM PDT Sun May 17 2026

CAZ043-552-172215-
/O.CON.KSGX.BH.S.0004.000000T0000Z-260518T1600Z/
San Diego County Coastal Areas-Orange County Coastal Areas-
107 AM PDT Sun May 17 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING...

* WHAT...Northwest swell from 290 degrees with a period of 9 to 
  10 seconds will generate surf of 4 to 6 ft, with local sets to 
  7 ft.

* WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County 
  Coastal Areas.

* WHEN...Through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous swimming conditions and minor tidal 
  overflow.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tides of 6.5 to 7 ft combined with 
  elevated may result in minor tidal overflow for beach parking 
  lots and boardwalks. Highest surf will be on west/northwest 
  facing beaches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

&&

$$
502 
WHUS46 KSGX 171911
CFWSGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Diego CA
1211 PM PDT Sun May 17 2026

CAZ043-552-180515-
/O.CON.KSGX.BH.S.0004.000000T0000Z-260518T1600Z/
San Diego County Coastal Areas-Orange County Coastal Areas-
1211 PM PDT Sun May 17 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING...

* WHAT...Northwest swell from 290 degrees with a period of 10 to
  12 seconds will generate surf of 4 to 6 ft.

* WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County 
  Coastal Areas.

* WHEN...Through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous swimming conditions and minor tidal 
  overflow.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tides of 6.5 to 7 ft combined with 
  elevated may result in minor tidal overflow for beach parking 
  lots and boardwalks. Highest surf will be on west/northwest 
  facing beaches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

&&

$$

CO
320 
WHUS46 KSGX 180459
CFWSGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Diego CA
959 PM PDT Sun May 17 2026

CAZ043-552-181300-
/O.CON.KSGX.BH.S.0004.000000T0000Z-260518T1600Z/
San Diego County Coastal Areas-Orange County Coastal Areas-
959 PM PDT Sun May 17 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PDT
MONDAY...

* WHAT...Northwest swell from 290 degrees with a period of 10 to 
  12 seconds will generate surf of 4 to 6 ft.

* WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County 
  Coastal Areas.

* WHEN...Through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous swimming conditions and minor tidal 
  overflow.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tides of 6.5 to 7 ft combined with 
  elevated may result in minor tidal overflow for beach parking 
  lots and boardwalks. Highest surf will be on west/northwest 
  facing beaches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.

&&

$$
561 
WHUS46 KSGX 180826
CFWSGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Diego CA
126 AM PDT Mon May 18 2026

CAZ043-552-181600-
/O.CON.KSGX.BH.S.0004.000000T0000Z-260518T1600Z/
San Diego County Coastal Areas-Orange County Coastal Areas-
126 AM PDT Mon May 18 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PDT THIS
MORNING...

* WHAT...Surf 2 to 4 feet, with sets to 5 feet this morning. 

* WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County 
  Coastal Areas.

* WHEN...Through 9 AM this morning.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous swimming conditions and minor tidal 
  overflow.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tides of 6.5 to 7 ft combined with
  elevated surf may result in minor tidal overflow for beach 
  parking lots and boardwalks. Highest surf will be on 
  west/northwest facing beaches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A beach hazards statement for elevated surf means that waves will
be high enough to cause danger to inexperienced swimmers in the
water. Elevated surf also frequently results in strong rip 
currents which can drag people away from the shore and possibly 
result in drowning. Always swim near a lifeguard.

&&

$$
374 
WHUS46 KSGX 181554
CFWSGX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Diego CA
854 AM PDT Mon May 18 2026

CAZ043-552-181700-
/O.EXP.KSGX.BH.S.0004.000000T0000Z-260518T1600Z/
San Diego County Coastal Areas-Orange County Coastal Areas-
854 AM PDT Mon May 18 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT WILL EXPIRE AT 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING...

Elevated surf has diminished. Although dangerous rip currents 
are always a threat, they are no longer posing a high risk. Always
swim near a lifeguard.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this beach hazards statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS San Diego, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this beach hazards statement went out at May 15, 11:41 AM PDT, 16 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 15, 11:41 AM PDT, 16 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Diego CA
1141 AM PDT Fri May 15 2026

.SYNOPSIS...
Slight inland warming for today, then cooler for the weekend for
inland areas with stronger onshore flow. The marine layer will
deepen during the weekend with night and morning coastal low
clouds extending well inland and onto the coastal slopes of the
mountains. For Saturday afternoon into Sunday evening, southwest
to west winds for the mountains and deserts will gust to 40 to 50
mph with isolated gusts to 65 mph. The coast and valleys will
warm on Monday with the greater warming for inland areas for
Tuesday through Thursday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING ORANGE...
SAN DIEGO...WESTERN RIVERSIDE AND SOUTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO
COUNTIES...

.SHORT TERM (Today through Sunday)...
High temperatures increase slightly today for inland and desert
areas while mountain and coastal temperatures remain similar to
yesterday. The marine layer will make its move back in over the
coast and into the coastal basin late this afternoon to settle in
for the evening through tomorrow morning. The marine layer is
expected to deepen for Saturday morning bringing chances for patchy
drizzle for the coastal mountain slopes all the way to the coast.

Winds will increase Saturday afternoon as onshore flow strengthens
over the area. Expect periods of gusty southwest to westerly winds
through late Sunday. Highest wind speeds will be in the deserts,
desert mountain slopes and mountain passes with gusts up to 40-50
mph, locally up to 65 mph. Daily high temperatures begin to cool
area wide over the weekend with temperatures Sunday near to a few
degrees below average.

&&

.LONG TERM (Monday through Thursday)...
Temperatures begin to warm along the coast and in the Valleys
Monday, then area wide Tuesday. Daily highs will continue to
increase through the week,  peaking Thursday afternoon. Temperatures
Thursday will be up to 5 degrees warmer than average over most of
the area. The high deserts will see temperatures 5-10 degrees above
average.
&&

.AVIATION...
151800Z...Coast/Valleys...Low confidence in complete clearing at the
immediate coast this afternoon, any lingering clouds will have bases
2000-3000 ft. Low clouds will push back inland after 01Z Sat and
fill in the coastal basin. Bases will be 1500-2500 ft MSL, with the
most likely places for the bases to fall below 2000 ft are at KCRQ
and near mtn foothills (70 percent). Chances of visibility falling
below 3SM is around 70 percent near mountain foothills. Patchy -DZ
possible from 09-18Z. Slow clearing expected Sat AM with SCT
conditions most likely after 18Z for most locations.

Mountains/Deserts...Elevated westerly wind gusts 25-40 kt after 21z
today with MOD up/downdrafts and local LLWS in lee of mountains.
Localized areas of BLDU and reduced VIS. Winds will remain gusty
through much of Saturday. Otherwise, SKC and VFR expected through
the period.

&&

.MARINE...
Gusty westerly winds with gusts 20-30 kt will develop in the outer
coastal waters late Saturday afternoon. The strongest gusts will
occur near San Clemente Island. Seas of 8-11 feet with a 9-12 second
period will generate choppy seas. Winds and seas will diminish
through the day Sunday.

&&

.BEACHES...
A westerly swell from 290 degrees with a 9 to 10 second period will
bring elevated surf of 4 to 6 feet, sets to 7 feet for Saturday
afternoon through Monday morning. Highest surf at west to northwest
facing beaches. The combination of elevated surf and high tides of
6.5 to 7 feet will result in minor tidal overflow, especially for
beach parking lots and boardwalks. Surf will start to decrease
Monday afternoon.

&&

.SKYWARN...
Skywarn activation is not requested. However weather spotters are
encouraged to report significant weather conditions.

&&

.SGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Beach Hazards Statement from Saturday evening through Monday
     morning for Orange County Coastal Areas-San Diego County
     Coastal Areas.

     Wind Advisory from 11 AM Saturday to 11 PM PDT Sunday for Apple
     and Lucerne Valleys-San Bernardino County Mountains.

     Wind Advisory from 2 PM Saturday to 11 PM PDT Sunday for
     Riverside County Mountains-San Diego County Deserts-San
     Diego County Mountains-San Gorgonio Pass near Banning.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM Saturday to 7 AM PDT Sunday for
     Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border Extending
     10 to 60 nm out including San Clemente Island.

&&

PUBLIC...Villafane
AVIATION/MARINE...CO

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 15, 11:56 AM PDTSmall Craft AdvisorySGX43 hr

Nearby

Beach Hazards Statements in California, 2026Every beach hazards statement in 2026

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.