The big waves that have been hitting beaches up and down the California coast have created dangerous swimming conditions for the crowds of people headed to the beach over the long holiday weekend.
On Sunday the National Weather Service extended high surf advisories through the evening hours. It warns 6- to 8-foot waves, with an occasional 10-footer, could hit the coast from San Francisco to
San Diego.
You can blame (or credit) the surf conditions on a powerful storm in New Zealand.
The waves have been forecast all week and arrived Thursday to the delight of surfers. Initially they were supposed to subside Sunday, but that forecast changed over the weekend.
Popular Pleasure Point in Capitola and Steamer's Lane in Santa Cruz have been flooded with surfers who want to catch a wave, as well as surf-watchers who want to catch them catch a wave.
The big waves coincide with a forecast of sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s, not to mention a day off Monday for the Labor Day holiday.
The wave warning is great for surfers, but comes with a warning for the general public because of a rip tide.
Beach-goers are being told to be careful on all south facing beaches.
