Bay Area beachgoers, it's time to steer clear of the surf. The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a High Surf Advisory for Thursday through Friday, warning of waves that could reach heights of up to 22 feet, alongside strong rip currents and the presence of sneaker waves. Putting it simply, these conditions are not for the faint of heart, or the strong, for that matter, and staying out of the water is strongly advised.
This advisory is part of a broader set of weather concerns detailed in the NWS's Area Forecast Discussion, which also predicts light to moderate rainfall through Tuesday morning, with the possibility of isolated showers into the evening. Drivers should exercise caution, as wet roadways, along with ponding water and potential flooding in low-lying areas, pose risks. The forecast discussion further indicates that, while conditions will remain unsettled through Wednesday, a "high and dry" pattern is expected to start on Thursday as a longwave ridge moves in.
As for air travel, the aviation sector appears largely unaffected, except for persistent showers this morning that shouldn't drop visibility below VFR thresholds. According to the Area Forecast Discussion issued by the National Weather Service, conditions at area airports, including SFO and Monterey Bay, are expected to improve, with a shift back to light, northwest winds by this afternoon and gentle winds predicted for the remainder of the week.
The marine outlook isn't looking much better, as northerly winds are forecast to pick up by Wednesday afternoon, coinciding with a high northwest swell that promises very rough sea conditions by Thursday. This swell is the primary factor in the high surf advisory, indicating that it's not only beachgoers but also small vessels that should heed caution. A Small Craft Advisory has been placed in effect from Wednesday afternoon through early Thursday morning, covering various zones along the California coast.
_(05).jpg){kind=link}