High surf warning in effect for San Diego coast for Christmas – NBC 7 San Diego

On By Littum

San Diego lifeguards warned the public Wednesday of poor surfing, diving and navigational conditions, while a high surf warning remained in effect at the county’s beaches through Thursday.

“The weather was light rain all day Tuesday and then the wind picked up overnight which made the sea conditions really choppy today,” Lifeguard Lt. Jacob Magness said Wednesday morning. “So not many surfers are out today because of that. We call it junky surf conditions.”

Magness said the surf came earlier than expected Wednesday and subsided faster than expected. He added that there were still some significant sets around the 8-foot range.

“But the conditions are very bad, so we don’t recommend that anyone try to go into the water today,” he said.

The National Weather Service extended the high surf advisory until 4 p.m. Thursday for large waves and dangerous rip currents.

“We’re warning everyone to stay out of the water at this time,” National Weather Service meteorologist Sebastian Westerink said Tuesday. “We are seeing high surf in San Diego County of 6 to 12 feet with sets up to 13 feet.”

Those numbers dropped to 6 to 8 feet with sets to 11 feet as of Wednesday morning, according to the NWS.

On Thursday, we can expect breaking waves from 5 to 9 feet. Minor coastal flooding is still a possibility, NBC 7 meteorologist Brooke Martell said.

Magness said lifeguards planned a lot of extra staff on duty during the Christmas holiday in anticipation of high surf and good weather drawing larger crowds.

The lifeguard media said diving would be dangerous at both La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores. Mission Bay Channel navigation, which had been reported as hazardous early Wednesday morning, “remains rough,” according to Magness.

He warned beachgoers to “stay away from the ocean,” noting that “rogue waves can come in and the wave can catch you off guard, especially if you have small children. So you should keep them back.”

NBC 7 reporter Shandel Menezes was live in La Jolla Christmas Eve, where high surf was likely to continue along the coast with 10- to 12-foot waves.

On Tuesday morning, large waves broke off a pole at the Ocean Beach Pier.

NBC 7 meteorologist Francella Perez said another swell is expected next week.

Saturday was the first day of winter. How will winter be in San Diego this time? Learn more about San Diego’s winter outlook and the return of La Niña here.