Headed to the beach? Look out for monster 30-foot waves, California officials warn

Beach-goers planning to ring in 2020 by the sea may want to keep an eye on the surf, the National Weather Service says.

Breakers up to nearly 30 feet are expected at ocean-facing beaches from Sonoma County down to Monterey County, including the San Francisco Bay Area, the agency says.

The weather service issued a beach hazards statement from 1 p.m. Tuesday through 9 p.m. Wednesday.

San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, Montara State Beach, Half Moon Bay State Beach, Carmel’s Monastery Beach and Marina State Beach are among those covered by the warning.

Swells of 6 to 8 feet are expected by Tuesday night, with swells of 8 to 11 feet and breakers of more than 25 feet by Wednesday, the agency says.

The beaches also are at increased risk for rip currents, large shore breaks and sneaker waves, forecasters say. They advise beach-goers to stay off jetties and keep a close watch on children.

The swells are being generated by a storm near the Aleutian Islands off Alaska, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This story was originally published December 30, 2019 at 10:03 AM with the headline "Headed to the beach? Look out for monster 30-foot waves, California officials warn."