Dangerous Rip Currents Could Hit Coastal Sonoma County

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The National Weather Service issued a coastal hazard statement and a high surf advisory Friday for west- and northwest-facing beaches from Coastal Sonoma County to Coastal Monterey County because of large breaking waves and increased risk of dangerous rip currents.

Large breaking waves may reach between 15 and 20 feet and steep beaches may see breaking waves more than 20 feet, according to the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area.

"There is an increased risk for ocean drowning," weather officials said. "Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore."

Inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water, officials said.

The high surf could also cause beach erosion, forecasters said.

Affected areas include the coastal North Bay, San Francisco, the Peninsula, the Monterey Bay and the Big Sur coast. The coastal hazards statement remains in effect through 8 p.m. Friday.