High winds and surf return to SLO County. Here’s how fast and how big they could get
The National Weather Service issued wind and high surf advisories in San Luis Obispo County on Tuesday.
One of the wind advisories was expected to be in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday in the San Luis Obispo County mountains, the agency said, including Santa Margarita Lake. Northeast winds in that area were forecast to reach 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
Another wind advisory, issued for the Santa Lucia mountains near the Hearst Castle and Irish Hills, was expected to be in effect from 6 p.m. Tuesday through noon on Wednesday. Northeast winds between 15 and 30 mph were expected with gusts up to 45 mph, the agency said.
The agency warned the “gusty winds” could blow around unsecured objects and cause tree limbs to break and cause power outages. It also cautioned drivers to use caution as the wind can make driving more difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Meanwhile, the high surf advisory affected all San Luis Obispo County beaches, the agency said. Large breaking waves of eight to 12 feet were expected with “dangerous rip currents.
The high surf advisory was expected to last until 10 a.m. Wednesday, the agency said.
The agency warned the conditions increase risk for ocean drowning as rip currents can pull surfers and swimmers out to sea. The large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats.
“Remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers,” the agency said. “Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.”
