Community Corner

National Weather Service Warns of Dangerous Ocean Swell

Be careful on the beach this week.

The National Weather Service has just issued the following warning: 

"A storm system in the Southern Hemisphere is generating a large long-period swell, which is moving through the open waters and is expected to reach Central and Northern California waters by midweek. This long-period southerly swell will result in hazardous conditions on many southerly facing beaches along the California Coast such as Twin Lakes Beach in Santa Cruz. ...

"These hazards include a heightened risk of rip currents ... large shore breaks on steep beaches and possible sneaker waves, which could wash an unsuspecting beachgoer into the ocean. These conditions will remain possible into the holiday weekend, so please use caution when visiting California beaches this holiday weekend."

Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

New Brighton State Beach in Capitola also faces directly south. Although Accuweather.com lists the warning as being in effect only until 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, it is important to always be careful while visiting the ocean, especially in the next week.


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