High Surf — Orange County Coastal Areas, California

2012-04-01 to 2012-04-02 · Orange County Coastal Areas, California

Event narrative

Huntington Beach Lifeguards reported average surf of 8 feet with sets of 10-12 feet. Newport Beach lifeguards reported 6 foot surf with sets to 8 feet. San Clemente lifeguards reported surf of 5-7 feet. Moderate to severe beach erosion also occurred near San Clemente producing a very steep sand escarpment and exposed cobblestones.

Minor coastal flooding also occurred near Seal Beach around the time of high tide on the evening of the 1st. Surf heights of 15 feet were reported then as well. The boardwalk was under 2.5 feet of water at times. Residents reported that water came within a foot of over-topping sand bags placed to protect dwellings.

Wider weather episode

High winds associated with an upper-level low pressure system generated the swell needed to produce high surf along the Orange and San Diego County beaches on the 1st and 2nd. Several offshore buoys reported seas over 10 feet from about mid-morning on the 1st through mid-morning on the 2nd. Seas topped out at 13 feet at the Mission Bay and Point Loma South buoys, 11 feet at the Torrey Pines Outer buoy and 17 feet at the San Clemente Basin buoy. Moderate to severe beach erosion occurred as well as some minor coastal flooding in Orange County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 375038. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.