The biggest waves in at least a year are expected to pound the county's coastline beginning this afternoon. By tomorrow morning, some locations could see waves of 15 feet or higher.


Advertisement“It's going to be very, very big,” said Alex Peabody, an aquatic safety specialist with the California State Parks public safety division. “You're going to see some pretty amazing waves.”
The National Weather Service warns that the heavy surf, combined with high tides tomorrow and Thursday mornings, could cause beach erosion and flooding in some low-lying areas of La Jolla, Del Mar and Cardiff.

Waves are expected to reach 5 to 7 feet this afternoon, then increase through tomorrow morning. By then, swells could reach 8 to 10 feet, with sets in excess of 15 feet. A high surf advisory will be in effect from 1 p.m. today through 10 p.m. Thursday.

Peabody said only people who have extensive experience with heavy surf and knowledge of local wave breaks should attempt to go out in the waves. He also cautioned people to stay off jetties.

Lifeguards are gearing up for the giant waves. Larry Giles, marine safety captain for the city of Encinitas, said seasonal crews, especially lifeguards who know how to operate personal watercraft used in rescues, are being called in. At Swami's, a popular surf spot, a lifeguard stand that usually is not staffed at this time of year will be manned.

“We will have someone screening people going down the stairs,” Giles said. “If they don't look like they belong (in the surf), we will strongly recommend that they come back another day.”

Brian Ketterer, a lifeguard supervisor for the state parks' north San Diego sector, said six lifeguards will be added to the usual compliment of five at the beaches at Torrey Pines, Cardiff and Carlsbad.

Ketterer said the first big swells of the storm season usually entice many surfers, but most of them know how to handle the heavy surf.

The big waves could be followed later in the week by another big storm. A powerful low-pressure system brewing over the north Pacific Ocean is expected to bring rain to San Diego as early as Thursday night, with the heaviest rain expected late Friday. National Weather Service forecasters said rainfall totals could exceed last weekend's storm, which brought 0.94 of an inch to Lindbergh Field, San Diego's official weather station.