Quick Take
High surf and sneaker waves could hit Santa Cruz County this weekend, but the impacts are likely to be far less dramatic than the huge swells of last week. The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement from Friday until early Sunday morning.
Less than two weeks after powerful ocean swells destroyed a portion of the Santa Cruz Wharf and damaged the harbor, forecasters say another round of high surf is approaching the Santa Cruz County coast — though the incoming waves are not expected to match the destructive force of last month’s storm.
A weather system heading toward Santa Cruz County will bring light rain throughout Friday along with high surf that could last through Tuesday. But anyone still on edge from the damaging pre-Christmas waves can breathe a little easier — the National Weather Service has not issued a high surf advisory for our coastline and expects the county to be spared the most severe effects of the coming weather system.
“Santa Cruz County is more sheltered from this northwest swell,” said NWS meteorologist Roger Gass. “Last week, the big system that caused the impacts was more westerly.”
Meteorologist Rachel Kennedy said she did not have specific estimates for the height of the waves, but that they are expected to be beneath the 18-foot to 25-foot threshold that warrants a high surf advisory.
Still, the ocean conditions will be turbulent enough for the weather service to issue a beach hazards statement from 9 a.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Sunday. Gass said the main concern is sneaker waves — large and often unpredictable waves that follow periods of calm waters. They usually occur within 10 and 20 minutes of each other and have the potential to sweep swimmers, beachgoers and others into hazardous waters.
Gass said that forerunner waves — smaller waves that also have a long period of time in between each of them — will create the risk for sneaker waves, as each wave generates more energy for those that follow.
While the conditions are not expected to cause the same damage and extreme safety concerns, Gass said it is best to stay out of the ocean while the rough waters last.
“We do recommend people to stay far away from the beach, and if they’re going to observe it, stay out of the water and make sure you view it from a safe distance,” he said, explaining that sneaker waves and the cold temperatures in local waters are a dangerous combination. “Our ocean is very cold, and a lot of people drown before they can actually make it to rescue because of what they call cold water shock.”
For boaters, there will be a small craft advisory in place, Gass said, because the unpredictable waves could prove dangerous for even skilled sailors of smaller boats. However, he added that large vessels are likely to handle the conditions sufficiently.
The system will bring wet conditions to the county throughout most of Friday, but the rain won’t amount to much. Higher elevations and mountain communities can expect up to a half-inch of rain and lower elevations can expect around a quarter-inch.
Gass added that there could be some lingering showers throughout Saturday morning, but the majority of the rainfall will be finished by the time Friday draws to a close. He said he isn’t anticipating any flooding across Santa Cruz County.
Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.