The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood watch and a high wind watch which is in effect for Thursday for most Bay Area hills and beaches.
A strong and wet Pacific weather system is expected to spread rain into the region Thursday. Rain may be heavy at times. Increasing winds from the south are forecast and large swells may arrive along the coast then.
Hazards from this storm system includes:
Driving Hazards: Due to the King Tide effect in conjunction with heavy downpours, localized flooding on roads and parking lots may occur. Areas such as the stretch of Sir Francis Drakes Blvd between the Mount Vision Road and the access road to Drakes Estero could be under water or even closed.
Winds: Locally strong and gusty winds may bring down trees and limbs. Strongest winds are expected in the hills and along the coast from Thursday morning through Thursday afternoon. Winds will be southerly from 25-35 miles per hour with gusts up to over 50 miles per hour along the coast.
Waves: Large breaking waves are expected which will result in hazardous conditions in the surf zone. The largest tidal fluctuations of the season, known as King Tides, are expected to occur over the next few days.
For additional safety tips, please visit our website at https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/beaches.htm#beachsafety.
Be sure to always have your eyes on the ocean.
-NPS-
Tags: point reyes point reyes national seashore national weather service nws hazardous weather hazardous weather outlook beach safety king tides
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
