Nov 30, 2008 12:47 pm US/Pacific
High Surf Conditions At Bay Area Beaches
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ―
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High surf under a fishing pier in Pacifica.
AP
Authorities urged beachgoers and boaters to use caution as a storm over the Pacific brought a
high surf advisory and elevated waves to Bay Area beaches this weekend.
Forecasters said the storm moving across the Gulf of Alaska generated a large northwest swell along the Northern California coastline.
It came at the same time that a weak offshore condition locally was creating mild weather conditions that would naturally draw people to enjoy the beaches over the weekend.
The National Weather Service issued a
high surf advisory and said waves up to 20 feet were possible at Bay Area beaches on Saturday and Sunday before subsiding.
"These waves do pose a problem to the uninformed,'' said Dan Gudgel, of the National Weather Service.
Authorities said people heading to the beaches should be extra careful if walking along rocks or jetties. Elevated surf often generates sneaker waves that can endanger inattentive beach walkers.
The U.S. Coast Guard cited several fatalities this weekend along the coastline in urging people to avoid going near beaches and low-lying coastal areas. They also advised mariners to take precautions over the next few days due to the high surf.
Two Milpitas cousins in their 40s were found dead inside a
fishing boat that capsized off Pillar Point Harbor near Half Moon Bay on Saturday in the rough surf, Coast Guard officials noted.
Boaters were advised to avoid the water until seas subside and were also urged to examine all safety equipment if it is necessary to go out to sea.
CBS 5 WeatherCenter: Current Conditions, Forecast For Your Area
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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