A building west-northwest swell is expected to bring big waves and strong rip currents to parts of the San Diego County coastline later Wednesday, Feb. 24 into Thursday, Feb. 25.
A National Weather Service high surf advisory is set to take effect Wednesday and extend until 10 p.m. Thursday. The surf is expected to build to 6 to 8 feet with sets to 12 feet by Wednesday afternoon.
Forecasters said the highest surf would likely occur south of Carlsbad.
Strong rip currents are also likely throughout the advisory period, and minor beach erosion will be possible. The waves may also be high enough to top jetties or sea walls, and may even reach the top of the Ocean Beach Pier, forecasters said.
The large long-period swell is expected to peak Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon, then will lower Thursday night into early Friday, according to the weather service. But a second swell is expected to lead to similarly high surf and strong rip currents this weekend.