Waves Approaching 40 Feet, Gale Warning Offshore, 35+ MPH Winds On Land As Next Wave Of Storms Slams Into California
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A gale warning in offshore waters is in effect through Friday night as some swells could rise to nearly 40 feet and winds roar above 46 miles per hour while on the coast, powerful surf above 15 feet and gale-force winds will pummel California again.
This second wave of storms won't pack the rain or the 83 mile per hour wind gusts of Thursday, but it is strong in its own right.
The National Weather service's watches and warnings including a high surf warning with 15-foot waves on west-facing beaches, mainly in Central California.
The forecast offshore for treacherous sea conditions includes "significant wave height" predictions, according to the National Weather Service, "...which is the average height of the highest 1/3 of waves. Individual waves may be more than twice that wave height."
The Gale Warning for areas more than 60 nautical miles offshore includes winds to 40 knots (46 miles per hour) on Tuesday, with significant wave heights of up to 19 feet, meaning isolated waves could easily build to 38 feet and higher on the open water. These conditions are well off-shore and will only affect mariners and ocean-going vessels.
NOAA WEATHER FORECAST: Details on Wave Heights
