Boaters Warned of Heavy Seas

A powerful storm is hurling giant waves and strong winds at the California coast, triggering heavy surf and small craft advisories for the waters off Ventura County, according to the National Weather Service.

Eighteen-foot breakers reached the Central Coast Thursday night and will persist today, although Ventura County’s beaches are somewhat sheltered from the swells. Waves here are expected to reach a maximum of 6 to 7 feet today and diminish slightly Saturday, according to officials.

But in the Santa Barbara Channel, small craft advisories are in effect as strong winds and heavy seas roll in from a storm that swept through the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday. Outside the Channel Islands, boaters could face 20-foot swells and strong breezes, said Weather Service meteorologist Vladimir Ryshko.

“This is the first storm and it indicates the start of our winter weather,� said Coast Guard spokeswoman Lt. Jeanne Reincke. “If you’re not prepared to go out in that weather, do not go. This is the start of our high-risk season.�

Heavy seas are expected to subside Saturday, although higher-than-usual surf will persist through much of the weekend along the Southern California coast. Beachcombers are urged to keep clear of exposed shorelines, swimmers are cautioned to watch for rip currents and beachfront property owners should start preparing their homes for winter, Ryshko said.

Meanwhile, Ventura County will get none of the nasty weather from the storm in the northwest, which has moved across the Rocky Mountains. Instead, expect highs in the low 80s at Ventura County beaches and in the upper 80s inland today and Saturday with slightly higher temperatures on Sunday. An offshore breeze will chase away patchy fog and clouds by midday today and keep them away throughout the weekend, forecasters say.