What is happening on Southern California beaches right now. Official notices come from the National Weather Service, county health departments, ocean observing programs, and our own data. Community posts come from divers and swimmers who were standing there.
The wettest spot in Santa Barbara took 0.67 in of rain in the last 3 days, Campus Point Beach, most recently on Thursday, November 12th. County health guidance is to stay out of the ocean for 72 hours after rain, and runoff plumes near creek mouths and storm drains cut visibility hard.
High Surf Warning from the National Weather Service, in effect for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara until Sunday 3:00 AM. From 9 PM this evening to 3 AM PST Sunday. Stay off of beaches and coastal walkways, roads, and structures.
Coastal Flood Warning from the National Weather Service, in effect for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara until Saturday 6:00 PM. Moderate to significant coastal flooding expected. Stay off of beaches and coastal walkways, roads, and structures.
Governor Newsom proclaimed a statewide state of emergency on September 21 to prepare California for an El Niño that NOAA gives better than a 90 percent chance of becoming very strong and a 75 percent chance of being the strongest on record since 1950. State officials are preparing for repeated rounds of heavy rain, flooding, coastal flooding, large surf, debris flows, and power outages through the winter. A pulse of warm water is due to lift sea level on the Southern California coast by 6 to 12 inches by October, and the eastern Pacific hurricane season is forecast well above average, which means more south swell arriving on top of already high water. Officials are asking Californians to prepare their homes and families now: keep emergency supplies and water on hand, sign up for local emergency alerts, know the evacuation route from home, and follow the direction of emergency officials once storms arrive. The proclamation directs all residents to obey emergency officials during this emergency. Nautical News has the full story, including when the sea level rise reaches each city and what the 1997 to 1998 winter looked like.
High Surf Advisory from the National Weather Service, in effect for Santa Barbara until Sunday 4:00 AM. From 4 AM Saturday to 4 AM PST Sunday. There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea.
Beach Hazards Statement from the National Weather Service, in effect for Catalina Island and Santa Barbara until Tuesday 3:00 PM. Dangerous rip currents and breaking waves due to elevated surf. Minor tidal overflows are possible during high tides. There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea.
The wettest spot in Santa Barbara took 0.67 in of rain in the last 3 days, Campus Point Beach, most recently on Thursday, November 12th. County health guidance is to stay out of the ocean for 72 hours after rain, and runoff plumes near creek mouths and storm drains cut visibility hard.
High Surf Advisory from the National Weather Service, in effect for Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County until Tuesday 3:00 PM. Large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet today, increasing to 8 to 12 feet Saturday. Surf heights are expected to decrease to 5 to 9 feet Sunday through Tuesday. Dangerous rip currents expected.
