Half Moon Bay Warned Of Sneaker Waves As Big Swell Arrives

HALF MOON BAY, CA — Half Moon Bay residents were advised to stay vigilant of "sneaker waves" as a long period ocean swell arrives in the Bay Area Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. A Beach Hazards Statement will go into effect at 6 p.m. and last through 10 p.m. Wednesday from coastal Sonoma County to Big Sir and Monterey County.

Waves were expected to rise 5 to 9 feet at a period of 18 to 20 seconds, which could trigger sneaker waves and dangerous conditions for unsuspecting beachgoers, according to the National Weather Service.

"The largest energetic sneaker waves will arrive irregularly every few minutes to as infrequently as once every 30 minutes during otherwise deceptively calmer seas, and consequently may catch those on coastal jetties, rocks, piers, or shorelines offguard and may injure them or knock them into the cold, turbulent ocean," weather service officials wrote Tuesday.

Beachcombing is not advised for the next few days, officials added.

Rip currents were forecast to accompany the large swell, particularly at west-north-west facing beaches.

"People walking along the beach should never turn their back to the sea," NWS officials warned. "Fisherman should avoid fishing from rocks or jetties."

Earlier this month, a sneaker wave during a similar swell in Pacifica dragged two beachgoers out to sea, but a man remained missing after the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a search.

READ MORE: Pacifica Surf Drags Two Into The Ocean; One Still Missing