Today is starting cool and mostly clear in San Francisco, with downtown temperatures near 52°F and sunshine expected to build through the morning. By afternoon, look for a mild high around 71°F with light south-southwest breezes, followed by a slide back into the low 50s overnight.
Beach Hazards Through Tuesday
Behind the pleasant weather, a Beach Hazards Statement from the National Weather Service is in effect from 5 AM today through 5 AM Tuesday. The alert warns of an increased risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents along the coast.
Forecasters say a long-period southwest swell will bring in unusually large, sudden waves that can rush much farther up the sand than expected and generate powerful rip currents. Open-ocean spots such as Ocean Beach and Baker Beach are expected to be especially hazardous, so officials advise staying off jetties, piers and rocks and keeping a close eye on the surf.
Recent Incident
The warning is not theoretical. last Friday, a sneaker wave at Baker Beach injured a fisherman, who was pulled to shore by San Francisco Fire Department rescue swimmers and taken to the hospital. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the incident, which, along with a recent Ocean Beach fatality, underscores how dangerous the surf can be even on otherwise calm days.
Safety Tips
If you head for the coast this weekend, give the ocean extra space. Stay off rocks, jetties, and piers, and keep children and pets well back from the high-tide line. Watch the surf for about 20 minutes before moving closer and never turn your back on the water. If someone is swept out, call 911 immediately and alert nearby lifeguards.
If you are caught in a rip current, try to swim parallel to the shoreline until you are out of the current, then angle back toward the beach. Do not try to fight directly against the pull toward the open water.
What To Expect This Week
Sunny, mild weather is expected to continue through the week, with today’s high near 71°F and tomorrow's forecast to be the warmest day at around 72°F. Nights will dip into the low to mid 50s. Breezy onshore winds should pick up each afternoon, and small craft advisories remain posted at sea into early tomorrow, so boaters are urged to use caution.
Officials encourage residents and visitors to monitor local forecasts along with surf and tide updates, and to plan beach time with safety at the top of the list.
