Hazardous Beach Conditions In Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Patchy fog was forecast in the Santa Cruz region during the Thursday morning commute and hazardous beach conditions were likely through 11 a.m. Friday, National Weather Service officials said.

Any fog was expected to clear up by 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley areas, while Watsonville skies were forecast to clear up by 8 a.m.

For the rest of the day, Santa Cruz County was forecast to see a high temperature of about 65 degrees with low winds around 5 mph rolling.

NWS issued a beach hazards statement from 6 a.m. Thursday to 11 a.m. Friday in Santa Cruz County, as a swell moved in on the region.

Breaker waves up to 22 feet tall, sneaker waves and rip currents were most likely Thursday. Friday could see breakers up to 20 feet tall, NWS forecast.

The public is asked to stay off the rocks, which can prove deadly under beach hazard conditions, and remain out of the water or stay close to occupied lifeguard towers.

Anyone caught in a rip current should float and relax — not try to swim against the current — and swim parallel to the shoreline if possible, NWS said. If swimming is not possible, face the shore, and call or wave to get help.

Don't turn your back to the ocean, NWS said.