SAN DIEGO — Big surf is headed to California — and also San Diego County — in the final days of 2023 as the King tides approach. Massive waves are expected to arrive as early as Thursday morning and last through Sunday.
What are King tides?
"A king tide is a non-scientific term people often use to describe exceptionally high tides. Tides are long-period waves that roll around the planet as the ocean is "pulled" back and forth by the moon's and the sun's gravitational pull as these bodies interact with the Earth in their monthly and yearly orbits," according to the National Ocean Service.
San Diego Lifeguards will be stepping up staffing and patrols to make sure beachgoers stay safe. Their biggest recommendation is to stay out of the water.
Be mindful if you're in Sunset Cliffs or other bluff areas. Lifeguards say to not go out on wet cliffs.
Tidal overflow will also be a hazard as the high surf is coupled with morning high tides between 5 to 6 feet, CBS 8's Weather Department reports.
Morning tide times
- Thursday: 6.0' at 9:04 am
- Friday: 5.7' at 9:39 am
- Saturday: 5.3' at 10:14 am
- Sunday: 4.9' at 10:51 am
Additionally, the swell will generate high seas, 8 to 13 feet, in the outer waters Thursday through Saturday.
Advisories
A high-surf and a coastal flood advisory will be in effect all weekend at San Diego County beaches, with large breaking waves of up to 12 feet, sets to 15 feet and some expected minor flooding, forecasters said Thursday.
Both advisories will be in effect from 8 a.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Monday and includes warnings of dangerous swimming and surfing conditions, beach erosion and minor tidal overflow during morning high tides at low-lying coastal areas such as beach parking lots and walkways.
Locations most susceptible to flooding include Cardiff and Seaside State Beaches, portions of Del Mar, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach and Imperial Beach. Potential flooding of lots, parks and roads with only-isolated road closures can be expected, according to the National Weather Service .
"Nature always wins every time. Nature always wins," said Marcus, a beachgoer visiting from Utah.
Lifeguards expect San Diego to see waves 12 to 15 feet high.
"That's pretty large for San Diego and lifeguards strongly urge if you're going to come see the surf to stay off the beach. Stay up on the sidewalks or boardwalks and just keep your distance," said Jacob Magness, a lieutenant with San Diego Lifeguards.
CBS 8 reported back in January when San Diego saw massive waves that flooded boardwalks, residential areas and lifeguard stations. Magness said this weekend could be similar.
"It's mother nature and mother nature is powerful and strong. We don't know exactly what it's going to do," he said.
Lifeguards warn the big surf will bring dangerous swimming conditions and rip currents that can pull people out to sea.
"To get out of a rip current, you want to swim parallel to shore, use momentum with the rip current and then come in somewhere else on the beach like a sandbar," Magness said.
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